Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel on Wednesday, 16 September directed state officials to prioritise sickle cell disease screening for children through dedicated camps at primary schools and Anganwadi centres, as the state disclosed it has already screened 1.34 crore people for the genetic disorder. The directive came during a review of the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission 2047 and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme held at Lok Bhawan in Bhopal.

Governor's Key Directives

Governor Patel stressed that early identification — covering both children who are affected by the disorder and those carrying the sickle cell trait — is critical for timely counselling and follow-up care. He called for stronger participation from elected representatives, suggesting that officials coordinate with Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly to mobilise resources and funding for health camps in their constituencies.

Patel also pushed for a youth-led awareness drive, urging universities and colleges to encourage students to enrol as Sickle Mitras — community health volunteers under the state's awareness initiative. 'Awareness is the most important component in the fight against sickle cell disease and tuberculosis. Youth should be actively involved in spreading awareness in society,' the Governor said.

State's Progress on Screening and Genetic Cards

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who participated in the review meeting, reported that 92 per cent of the people screened across Madhya Pradesh had been issued genetic status cards. He added that 4,825 Sickle Mitras had already been enrolled under the awareness programme, with ongoing efforts to expand that number further.

Notably, sickle cell disease disproportionately affects tribal communities across central India, making Madhya Pradesh — home to one of the country's largest tribal populations — a critical front in the national elimination drive.

Tuberculosis Elimination: Progress and Targets

Deputy Chief Minister Shukla also highlighted progress on tuberculosis control, stating that the state's TB cure rate has reached 89 per cent and that the mortality rate has declined. The National TB Elimination Programme aims to eliminate tuberculosis from India by 2025 — a deadline that the Centre has acknowledged requires sustained state-level implementation to achieve.

What Comes Next

With the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission's 2047 deadline in focus, officials are expected to expand school and Anganwadi-level screening camps and broaden the Sickle Mitra network. The Governor's emphasis on elected representatives and youth volunteers signals a push toward community-driven delivery rather than facility-only outreach. How quickly these camps can be scaled — particularly in remote tribal districts — will determine the programme's real reach.