On World Sickle Cell Day, Onkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh became the focal point of a national health milestone on Friday, as President Droupadi Murmu attended a special programme and announced that India had met its sickle cell screening target of 1.25 crore people ahead of schedule. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav used the occasion to set a more ambitious marker — 1.60 crore screenings in Madhya Pradesh before 2027.

Murmu, who was the chief guest at the event, visited an exhibition on sickle cell anaemia and interacted with patients, awareness workers, and healthcare professionals. She noted that the mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh roughly three years ago, had delivered results that deserved recognition.

"The screening target has been achieved ahead of time," the President said, adding that over 1.25 crore people had been screened so far and that most had been provided genetic counselling cards. She credited the coordinated effort between the Union Health Ministry and the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry, describing it as the first such joint model in the country's public health history. Murmu also noted that research was underway not just in allopathy but in Ayurveda as well — a detail she said she was pleased to learn from the stalls at the exhibition.

The sickle cell mission was positioned from the outset not merely as a health programme but as a broader social intervention. Officials said the initiative draws on scientific and social research conducted by ICMR, the Tribal Health Research Institute, AIIMS, NAHM, WHO and several state governments. The emphasis has been on genetic awareness, preventive healthcare, and shifting community behaviour around marriage and family planning in affected populations.

Governor Mangubhai Patel, also present at the event, underscored the 2027 deadline for completing all targeted screenings, after which focus would shift to treatment and long-term management. He said the tribal communities affected by the disease would remember the campaign.

CM Yadav placed the state's efforts in concrete numbers. Over the past three years, Madhya Pradesh has screened 1 crore 32 lakh individuals for sickle cell. The target now is to push that figure to 1 crore 60 lakh before the end of 2026-27.

At the ground level, Block Medical Officer Dr. Anand Onkar explained the logic of pre-marital screening, the programme's central prevention tool. Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary condition, he said, and intergenerational spread can be significantly reduced if both partners are tested before marriage. Couples are counselled on the probability of the disease appearing in their children, based on their test results and sickle cell cards, and are then left to make their own informed decision.

Sarpanches from Khalwa, Chhaigaon Makhan, Punasa and Pandhana blocks were felicitated at the event for their role in driving screening and awareness drives in their villages. Sickle cell patients, regular blood donors, and community volunteers working on awareness were also honoured.

Further events and screenings are planned as part of the ongoing national mission.

MP TB Crisis: Bhopal Emerges as Hotspot; State Reports 13 Deaths Daily

Over 1.71 Lakh Cases Notified in 2025 as Madhya Pradesh Battles Rising Drug Resistance and High Mortality in Tribal Belts

Despite intensified screening and the introduction of advanced drug regimens, Tuberculosis (TB) remains a formidable public health challenge in Madhya Pradesh. Latest health department data reveals a grim reality: the state is recording an average of 13 TB-related deaths every day.

In 2025, the state has already seen 4,733 fatalities linked to the respiratory infection. While the total number of notified cases stands at 1.71 lakh—a marginal dip from the 1.80 lakh recorded last year—the high mortality rate continues to alarm medical experts and policy trackers in the region.

Bhopal reports highest burden

The state capital has surfaced as the primary concern for health officials, reporting the highest concentration of infections across Madhya Pradesh. Public health data indicates that Bhopal alone accounted for 332 deaths in 2025.

Large urban centers including Indore, Gwalior, and Jabalpur follow closely, contributing significantly to the state’s overall caseload. The density of cases in these hubs is being attributed to high population concentration and late diagnosis in urban slums.

Rising drug resistance threat

A critical hurdle in the state's elimination goal is the prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB). This year, 2,513 patients were diagnosed with MDR-TB, a condition often triggered by interrupted treatment cycles or improper medication adherence.

Even more concerning is the detection of five cases of Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB). Experts note that while XDR-TB is rarer, it is far more difficult and expensive to treat, requiring specialized clinical intervention and prolonged isolation.

New treatment protocols introduced

Medical professionals are banking on updated pharmaceutical interventions to bridge the recovery gap. Dr. Vikas Mishra, Associate Professor at the Regional Institute of Respiratory Diseases, noted that the transition to the BPaLM regimen is a significant step forward.

"The new six-month BPaLM drug regimen has made treatment significantly more manageable for patients," Dr. Mishra stated. This shorter, more effective course is expected to improve compliance rates compared to older, year-long treatment protocols.

Mortality spikes in tribal districts

The data highlights a stark geographical disparity in survival rates. While the state’s average mortality rate sits at 2.7%, certain tribal and rural pockets are witnessing nearly double that figure.

Mandsaur and Neemuch have reported mortality rates as high as 6%, while Betul stands at approximately 5%. Districts like Alirajpur, Dindori, and Shahdol are also struggling with rates between 3% and 4%, largely due to systemic issues.

Nutrition and access gaps

Health analysts point toward a "lethal combination" of malnutrition and delayed healthcare access in these high-mortality zones. Poor Body Mass Index (BMI) levels among tribal populations often weaken immune responses, making standard TB treatments less effective.

According to officials, many patients in remote areas only reach tertiary care centers when the disease has reached an advanced stage. This delay, coupled with existing comorbidities like anemia, significantly reduces the window for successful intervention.

100-day elimination drive

In response to the persistent numbers, the state is launching an aggressive 100-day “TB-Free Campaign” starting March 24. Dr. Ruby Khan, In-Charge State TB Officer, confirmed that the drive will focus on "active case finding" rather than waiting for patients to visit clinics.

The campaign will deploy handheld X-ray machines for village-level doorstep screening. Alongside TB testing, the government plans to integrate screenings for anemia, blood pressure, and sugar levels to provide a holistic health assessment for high-risk individuals.

Future outlook and monitoring

The upcoming months will be crucial for Madhya Pradesh as it seeks to meet the national goal of TB elimination. Authorities are now focusing on "contact tracing," where the immediate family and social circles of a positive patient are screened proactively.

With the 100-day mission, the state hopes to significantly lower the transmission rate. However, experts emphasize that sustained success will depend on consistent drug supplies and improved nutritional support programs for the underprivileged.