World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is celebrated on 19 June every year to raise awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD) and its impact on individuals, families and communities around the world. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal red blood cells that take on a crescent or sickle shape, and these irregularly shaped cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to a variety of health complications. This year’s theme for World Sickle Cell Day is “Build and strengthen global sickle cell communities, formalize newborn screening, and learn about the state of sickle cell disease.” The theme is about recognizing the first step in understanding genotype in infants and adults in the fight against sickle cell disease. The theme also calls for the use of advanced technologies to identify sickle cell status. The Department for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is the nodal body dealing with all the development agenda of persons with disabilities in the country. With the vision of creating awareness of sickle cell disease among the masses, the department observed the World Sickle Cell Day through its associated institutions by conducting various events in more than 30 places across India. Some activities were organized across the country to observe the World Sickle Cell Day awareness programs, nationwide seminars and workshops, online quiz program, webinar essays, and poster-making competition.
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MG/PD
