The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, organized a series of nationwide awareness programmes on Thursday to mark World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
The initiatives aimed to educate communities about Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a hereditary blood disorder that disproportionately impacts tribal populations and affects millions globally.
Marked annually on June 19, World Sickle Cell Day serves as a global health observance recognized by the United Nations. The theme for 2025, “Global Action, Local Impact: Empowering Communities for Effective Self-Advocacy,” underlines the importance of engaging local communities in efforts toward early diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with SCD.
As part of the observance, the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD) in Kolkata organized an awareness programme at NRS Medical College, where medical professionals and patients were briefed on the symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment options for SCD.
In Chennai, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) held an outreach event in Chengalpattu, targeting the general public with information on disease management and the vital role of community involvement in patient care.
The Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) in Cuttack conducted a special programme emphasizing early detection and the importance of creating supportive environments for individuals with SCD.
In Secunderabad, the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) hosted an awareness session for parents, students, and professionals in the field, focusing on challenges faced by those living with the disease.
Composite Regional Centers also played a vital role in spreading awareness. CRC Tripura held a programme at Nutan Nagar Girls Higher Secondary School in Agartala, while CRC Gorakhpur organized a seminar through its Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC), focusing on children and parents. The session addressed the complexities of SCD, stressing the need for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. CRC Nagpur marked the occasion with a special online webinar.
Apart from these flagship events, numerous other CRCs and National Institutes under DEPwD conducted local-level awareness drives, collectively working to ensure timely interventions, build public understanding, and strengthen support systems for families affected by SCD across the country.