Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren interacted directly with the youth affected by this disease in a program organized by UNICEF on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

Ranchi:

The state government is committed to control sickle cell. Adopting a comprehensive approach in this direction, we are trying to give a better life to the infected, because the effect of this disease is felt not only by the patient but by his entire family. Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren was interacting directly with the youth affected by this disease in a program organized by UNICEF on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day today. The Chief Minister emphasized on spreading public awareness about sickle cell so that understanding of this disease can increase among the people. He said that the eradication of this disease is possible only with the collective efforts of all of us.
The Chief Minister said that there is a need to increase screening to ensure early identification and treatment of this disease. Because, people do not even know that they are suffering from this disease. In such a situation, knowingly or unknowingly they can establish it in the next generation. In such a situation, more and more people should be screened and those who show symptoms of this disease should be counseled and provided with tests, medicines and other facilities. The Chief Minister also said that efforts should be made to diagnose this disease by screening children as soon as they are born, so that if there is any problem, it can be treated and resolved.
The Chief Minister said that work is being done by the Health Department and other means to deal with sickle cell. Organizations like UNICEF also have an important role in this. He said that many steps have been taken to improve the health system of the state. Health profiles of people are being prepared, so that people infected with various diseases can be identified and treated properly. Our effort is to give a healthy and safe life to the coming generation.
The Chief Minister told the Health Department that there should be a strong system for testing and treatment of sickle cell infected people. Sickle cell patients need blood from time to time. In such a situation, availability of blood for them should be ensured. Make sure that medicines are available on time and easily. No infected person should face any problem in testing and treatment.
The Chief Minister said that the role of health counselors is very important in screening and counseling of many genetic diseases like sickle cell. In such a situation, they should be provided proper training and kits, so that they can provide their services in a better way to the people suffering from various infections. With the help of health counselors, it will be very easy to identify genetic diseases in people and after this they can be treated properly.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister interacted with Ms. Atiya Kausher, Ms. Sneha Tirkey, Ms. Sanya Parveen, Mrs. Vimala Kumari and Mr. Abdul Hakim Ansari affected by sickle cell and inquired about their disease and the problems caused by it and the ongoing treatment. The Chief Minister also said that he does not consider it appropriate to call sickle cell a disease. But, still the treatment of people affected by this infection and solution to other problems will be possible only when they will keep their words and problems openly. He told the sickle cell affected people that they need not be discouraged. They should continue to carry out their daily activities and tasks with full courage and strength. The government is taking appropriate steps towards getting rid of this disease. During this, the young men and women affected by sickle cell openly shared their problems with the Chief Minister. A young woman said that due to sickle cell, she is not able to attend college classes many times. She misses exams. Due to this, her studies are affected. The Chief Minister assured that they should continue their studies. A definite solution will be found for the problem you have mentioned.
On this occasion, Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari, Chief Secretary Mrs. Alka Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Avinash Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department Mr. Ajay Kumar Singh, besides Dr. Kaneenika Mitra, Chief, UNICEF Jharkhand, Dr. Vivek Singh, Chief, AI, Health, UNICEF India, Ms. Aastha Alang, Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Dr. Vanesh Mathur, Health Officer UNICEF and Mrs. Shivani Communication Specialist, UNICEF were present.