App developed by SPPU researchers to empower sickle cell patients

Pune: A research team from the department of chemistry at SPPU has developed an AI-enabled digital platform titled ‘Sickle Aadhaar' to combat the growing health and social challenges posed by sickle cell disease (SCD). Conceptualised by Pooja J. Doshi and her team at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), the app aims to improve the quality of life for SCD patients by providing a comprehensive digital ecosystem that connects them with doctors, caregivers, NGOs, blood banks, and government welfare schemes.
SCD is a hereditary blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become crescent-shaped, obstructing blood flow. This leads to severe complications including chronic pain, vaso-occlusive crises, strokes, and organ damage.The initiative comes at a critical time. India currently ranks second globally, after Nigeria, in births with HbSS (the most severe form of the disease). According to govt data from 2025, nearly six crore individuals have been screened, identifying 2.15 lakh diagnosed patients and 16.7 lakh carriers. "Despite large-scale screening initiatives, significant gaps persist in counselling, mental healthcare, nutritional guidance, and access to blood transfusions," said Doshi. "SCD patients often face repeated hospitalisations, social stigma, and limited access to healthcare resources in rural areas. Our app is designed to bridge these gaps." The ‘Sickle Aadhaar' app focuses on patient empowerment through medical guidance from expert physicians. This is not the team's first breakthrough in the field. Doshi's research group had previously developed ‘Haemadhaar,' a patented herbal formulation (patent no. 543762) designed to manage sickle cell crises and improve haemoglobin levels. The innovative concept was recently presented at "Design for Bharat 2026," a national youth innovation challenge held under the Viksit Bharat initiative at IIT Mumbai on Jan 14 this year. The project was presented by research student Ruturaj Gadhave, alongside MSc biochemistry students Kanchan Deoghare and Ashtagandha Vartak. Recognised for its potential social impact, the project was selected as a meritorious entry and may be showcased before the Prime Minister of India. The team believes the app will serve as a vital tool for those in tribal and rural regions, where the disease is most prevalent and medical infrastructure is often limited.