India will eradicate Sickle Cell disease ahead of 2047 target through collective efforts: President

President Droupadi Murmu has expressed confidence that India would eradicate sickle cell disease well before its national target year of 2047. She has called for concerted efforts to raise awareness about the genetic blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities. The President was addressing a state-level programme at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh on the occasion of World Sickle Cell on Friday. President Murmu appealed to all state governments and officials not to take the disease lightly because it is passed on from one generation to another. She said efforts should be made to eradicate it because treatment is possible and added that sickle cell-related disease has been identified in nearly 2.5 lakh people, and more than 20 lakh carriers of this disease have also been identified. 

मिशन मोड में हुई स्क्रीनिंग का ही परिणाम है कि अभी तक लगभग ढाई लाख लोगों में सिकल सेल संबंधी रोग चिन्हित किये जा चुके हैं और इस रोग के 20 लाख से भी अधिक वाहक यानी carrier भी पहचाने जा चुके हैं। pic.twitter.com/YDhhAq2jrk

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 19, 2026

The President praised the state government for its achievements under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. The President said, the state has made significant progress on several fronts under the mission. The President noted that one of the key goals set at the launch of the National Mission in 2023 was large-scale screening, and it is a matter of satisfaction that the target has been achieved ahead of schedule.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that to eradicate sickle cell anemia from its roots, the state government is working simultaneously on four fronts. 

सिकल सेल एनीमिया को जड़ से समाप्त करने के लिए प्रदेश सरकार एक साथ चार मोर्चों पर काम कर रही है...#WorldSickleCellDay pic.twitter.com/rOU3VGE6Ik

— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) June 19, 2026

During the programme, President Murmu visited a special exhibition set up under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047. The exhibition showcased various initiatives related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease.Governor Mangubhai Patel was also present on the occasion.