Overview

• The government announced the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Prize to fund new sickle cell treatments with up to Rs 10 crore, partnering with AIIMS-Delhi for a national drug development competition.
• AIIMS-Bhubaneswar will be designated a Centre of Excellence for sickle cell disease management and research, enhancing care for over 700 registered patients.
• Fifteen Centres of Competence across leading hospitals will offer advanced diagnostics, antenatal screening and streamlined referrals for tribal communities.
• National screenings have reached 5.79 crore people, identifying 16.38 lakh carriers and 2.10 lakh patients while advancing toward the seven crore target under the 2023 mission.
• The elimination effort integrates genetic counselling, community outreach and free treatment via Ayushman Bharat to curb intergenerational transmission.