New KGH facility to strengthen sickle cell treatment in north Andhra

Visakhapatnam: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the government hospital sector in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has established a 'Centre of Competence for Haemoglobinopathies' at King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam. About Rs 3.3 crore has been invested in equipment for the centre.As tribal areas in the region have a high incidence of sickle cell disease and other haemoglobinopathies, the facility is expected to help in early diagnosis and timely treatment of these conditions. During a screening drive conducted by the health department among nearly 15 lakh tribal people for sickle cell anaemia, 21,767 people were identified as carriers, while 2,285 people were diagnosed with the disease.Persons carrying only one of these genes are called 'carriers', as they do not suffer from the disease but carry the abnormal gene and can transmit it to the next generation. Carriers cannot be identified clinically and can only be detected through special blood tests. Sickle cell anaemia, a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells, is commonly found in the tribal belts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Bastar, and south Odisha.Hundreds of students in the tribal areas of Visakhapatnam are suffering from sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. Thalassaemia and sickle cell disorders require lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. The excess iron that enters the body through repeated blood transfusions must be removed using expensive chelation medicines.Frequent blood transfusions and other treatment procedures require a supportive healthcare system. The newly established centre at KGH is expected to serve patients from north coastal Andhra Pradesh.According to medical experts, haemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease, are among the most common genetic disorders. Sickle cell disease requires lifelong management and contributes to infant and childhood morbidity and mortality. The disease is caused by the inheritance of two abnormal HbS genes.Sickle cell anaemia severely affects the immune system of patients. It results in inadequate amino acid production, and affected persons may suffer from jaundice, enlargement of the spleen, swelling of the hands and feet, joint pain, and breathlessness. Over time, it can lead to serious complications due to weakening of the immune system.Launching the centre at KGH on Monday, tribal welfare minister G Sandhya Rani said the government is giving special priority to the protection of tribal health. “Modern medical services for the prevention of sickle cell disease, including special screening for newborns and pregnant women, have now been made available at the centre. Genetic counselling and blood transfusion services will also be provided through the Centre of Competence. The government is working towards eliminating sickle cell anaemia by 2047,” the minister said.