India co-hosts launch of global partnership to advance sickle cell care

By  News On Air   Sep 24, 2026

India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD, a Global Partnership to Advance Equity and Transform Sickle Cell Care, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York.

Addressing the event, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Punya Salila Srivastava, highlighted India’s comprehensive response to Sickle Cell Disease through the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. She said the Mission was launched in 2023 with the goal of eliminating Sickle Cell Disease as a public health problem by 2047.

Ms Srivastava said population-scale screening, early diagnosis, counselling, treatment and follow-up are being integrated into public health systems. She emphasised that no person living with Sickle Cell Disease should be left without timely and continued care because of their place of residence or socio-economic circumstances.

India has reaffirmed its commitment to an equitable, coordinated and sustainable global response to Sickle Cell Disease, ensuring that timely diagnosis and quality care reach those who need them most.