President Droupadi Murmu addresses the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at Omkareshwar, in Khandwa, on June 19, 2026. Photo: Office of Press Secretary to the President via ANI Photo
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (June 19, 2026) said that the country would eradicate sickle cell anaemia well before the government-set target of 2047, while urging States not to take the disease lightly and calling for collective efforts to raise awareness about the disorder, especially among the tribal communities.
Addressing a Madhya Pradesh Government event in Khandwa district’s Omkareshwar, the President said, “Through collective strength and active participation of all States, India would achieve its national goal of eliminating sickle cell-related diseases well before 2047.”
She also said that various key targets set during the launch of the National Mission in 2023 have been achieved ahead of schedule, including the screening of seven crore people between zero and 40 years of age. “This is one of the largest genetic disease screening initiatives in the world,” she said.
“From a public health perspective, such large-scale genetic screening linked with digital tracking is being undertaken for the first time in the country. As a result of mission-mode screening, nearly 2,50,000 people affected by sickle cell-related diseases and more than 20 lakh carriers have been identified so far,” she said.
Ms. Murmu also praised Madhya Pradesh for screening 1.25 crore people in the State so far and providing genetic counselling cards to most of them.
The President said that various scientific studies had shown that the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia among tribal communities was many times higher than in the general population.
“I would like to urge all State governments and officials not to take this disease lightly because it passes from one generation to another. Efforts should be made to eradicate it completely because treatment is possible. The disease can be eliminated. Such claims have emerged,” she said.
Ms. Murmu also lauded the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission – 2047, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol in 2023, and said that it was the first mission in the country implemented through a joint model of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
“Consequently, for the first time in the country, a nationwide campaign was launched by integrating public health, tribal welfare, genetic science and digital monitoring. Seventeen States participating in this campaign have actively contributed to its implementation,” she added.
President Murmu concluded her two-day tour of the State on Friday (June 19).
Published – June 19, 2026 09:43 pm IST
