Health-Lifestyle
The impact and driving force behind India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination mission

In just over a year since its launch, India’s National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission (NSCEM) is already demonstrating a notable impact in the nation’s fight against Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). This public health initiative, active in 278 districts across the country, has rapidly transformed the approach to both diagnosis and management of SCD. With a focus on tribal populations which are more susceptible to the disease and an ambitious target to eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047, the mission has achieved unprecedented reach, which is evident in its screening numbers.
According to government statistics, more than 42 million people were screened for SCD in the first year. This figure, in comparison, is over 10 times the annual number of babies screened in the universal new born screening program in the United States (approximately 3.6 million) and 70 times more. This daily identification rate is roughly equivalent to the total number of new births affected over an entire year in the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, approximately 2,500 carriers of the sickle cell trait are identified daily. While these individuals do not present immediate clinical concerns, their identification is critical for future prevention. These carriers are informed about the disease and offered premarital screening and genetic counselling to help prevent the transmission of SCD to future generations. All screened individuals are given a standardised, color-coded identity card that visually indicates their sickle cell status and reproductive risk in an accessible format.
The mission’s multi-pronged approach extends beyond screening to encompass comprehensive care and counselling and also future research. This includes:
Prevention strategies
Prevention of serious infections has played a key role in SCD management. Immunisations against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae have improved survival rates and brought down deaths caused by the pneumococcal disease. The government is also carrying out mass screenings and those at high-risk are being counsel.
Prenatal screening
For couples at risk, prenatal screening for SCD using advanced techniques like chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, is made available at Government of India’s expense. This empowers families to make informed decisions. Efforts are being made to improve access to these services in geographically remote areas also.
Social support and legal protection
Recognising the challenges faced by individuals with SCD, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act of 2016 includes thalassemia, haemophilia, and SCD among the three haematological disorders covered. This act provides vital protections and entitlements for those with 40 per cent or more disability, including:
Accommodations at school and work, such as flexible timings and extra leave to allow for medical care
Relaxation in attendance requirements and additional time for timed examinations
Financial assistance for medical expenses
Consideration for employment opportunities in proximity to comprehensive care facilities
The Act also mandates non-discrimination, upholds the right to equality and life with dignity, offers incentives for employers to hire individuals with disabilities, and provides preferences in admission to higher education courses.
Advancements in disease-modifying therapies
Hydroxyurea: A widely used disease-modifying therapy, Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used in patients with SCD in India since 2008. HU is dispensed free of charge through government health systems and is commercially available at low cost. It is manufactured domestically by several pharmaceutical companies, ensuring ready availability. An oral liquid formulation, stable at room temperature is also being manufactured in India, offering a significant advantage for treating children in remote, tropical regions. HU has proven effective in reducing painful episodes, blood transfusion needs, and hospitalisation rates. It is currently being given to all patients with sickle cell disease starting at two years of age. Research is ongoing to assess the efficacy of different dosages and dose escalation strategies.
Advancements in curative therapies
Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT), often referred to as bone marrow transplant, has been gaining popularity in India over the past four decades. The country now has 114 HCT centres, with 89 reporting results to a bone marrow transplant registry.
Clinical research
India is emerging as a hub for SCD clinical trials, with approximately 47 trials registered in the Clinical Trial Registry India for SCD. These trials encompass a range of interventions, including HU, haploidentical transplant conditioning regimens, and novel drug candidates pyruvate kinase activator, fetal haemoglobin (HbF) inducers. With large numbers of patients with SCD and medical services in private and academic hospitals, India has the potential to serve as a source for conducting interventional clinical trials.
Looking into the future
Announced by PM Narendra Modi in 2023, NSCEM is a comprehensive effort to improve the care of all SCD patients and lower disease prevalence. Some of its core pillars include:
Increasing awareness for SCD and pre-marital genetic counselling
Prevention via universal screening and early detection
Providing continuous care across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels
Strengthening tertiary and quaternary healthcare facilities
Encouraging community adoption and providing support systems
The progress of the mission is meticulously tracked and updated in real-time on a public online portal, guiding resource allocation at district, state, and national levels.
Furthermore, recognising the potential of transformative therapies, the Government of India has made significant investments in research to develop gene therapies for SCD domestically. While concerns about feasibility and cost in low and middle-income countries remain, India’s proactive research support comes as a glimmer of hope for future curative solutions.
Note to the Reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have the journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. The information provided does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for health-related concerns.
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Health-Lifestyle
This is why you should wash your hair with cola

Washing your hair with cola could have great benefits. Do you dream of having beautiful hair, but does your hair not look as good in real life? If your hair is limp and dull, you should keep reading this article for this trick involving cola.
You’re not alone; many women have hair that lacks volume and shine. This is not surprising if you think about how we treat our hair. Washing, dyeing, straightening, and curling can cause damage. Luckily, there is a simple product that can help. You might already have a bottle of it in your fridge. Washing your hair with cola can make a big difference. We’re unsure if you’ll want to drink it after reading this, though.
Did you know cola is helpful for a lot of different things? You can use it to descale your tea kettle or to clean the toilet, for example. The popular beverage is so chemical that it can clean things. Who knew? You can also use it to remove chewing gum from your (or your children’s) hair. Just fill a bowl with cola, pop your piece of chewed gum in, and leave it for a while. You’ll be amazed at how easily you can get it out.
We can’t promise that this will work as well as some claim, but it’s worth trying if you want your hair to look fuller. Cola is said to make hair less limp and create a ‘messy’ look but in a good way. The high acidity level of cola closes and contracts the hair scales, which makes hair shine. Beauty vlogger Ellko tried the trick and is very satisfied with the results. You only need two small bottles of Coke and water to rinse it out again!
Check out the video for instructions!
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Health-Lifestyle
The condiment that “suffocates” the brain. We add it to our food every day

Too much salt can cause Alzheimer’s disease. How does the brain work if you eat a lot of salt?
Eating too much salt could be one of the causes of memory loss that is specific to Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of the most common forms of dementia. A new study shows that excess salt can affect blood flow to the brain and how our brain cells work.
In a study recently published in the journal Cell Reports, scientists explain how excessive salt consumption destroys the brain.
They used special brain scans to examine the hypothalamus, an important brain area that controls hormone balance, metabolism, body functions, and behavior. They found that people who ate a lot of salt had an unusual brain reaction.
When we eat a lot of salt, the brain tries to protect itself by controlling sodium levels in the blood. This causes the body to produce more of a hormone called vasopressin, which helps to keep sodium levels in the blood under control. Dr Javier Stern, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Georgia, explains this is very important.
Previous studies have suggested a possible link between neuronal activity and increased blood pressure. However, the researchers found that the activation of the neurotransmitters that determined the increased production of vasopressin triggered a decrease in blood circulation by narrowing the arteries in the brain.
We were surprised by the results because we had seen that blood vessels get narrower when people eat too much salt. This is often seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or after a heart attack or stroke. It’s like having your body always in a state of low oxygen, which slowly destroys brain tissue, the doctor explained.
The study raises important questions about how high blood pressure affects brain health, especially since more than half of cases of high blood pressure are linked to eating too much salt.
Foods that contain the most salt include cold cuts, pickles, canned goods, olives, smoked meats, marinated fish, cereals, bread, ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise, various vegetable seasoning mixes, chips, peanuts, popcorn, packet soups and multiple cheeses.
The recommended daily amount of salt is approximately 5 grams or one teaspoon. But if you’re over 50 or already have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis, you should limit your salt intake to just 1.5 – 2 grams/day.
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Health-Lifestyle
Nail Lunes: How They Relate to Health

You can tell a lot about a person’s health by looking at their nails. It is a good sign if the lines on your nails are clear and easy to see. If the shape or color of the lunulae changes, it could indicate an internal health problem. The most important thing to look at is the organic semi-circular shape of this part of the nail.
Changes to the nail lunulae, such as a reduction in size, poor definition, unevenness, or color change, may indicate various health problems, including blood clotting disorders, liver disease, stomach disease, intestinal disease, hormonal imbalances, gynecological abnormalities, respiratory issues, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, and circulatory problems.
By looking at changes in the color of the nail lunulae, we can get crucial medical information. Here are some of the things that can be highlighted:
If the lunulae are only slightly lighter than the skin, this indicates a healthy condition. However, white spots on the nails may signal heart problems. Yellow spots may indicate problems with blood flow to the brain, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as severe headaches or dizziness. Gray nails often indicate physical exhaustion or issues with nutrient absorption. Blue lunulae on the nails may indicate problems with copper metabolism.
Blue or purple hues indicate a lack of oxygen in the blood, typical for people with breathing problems or who snore at night. Red lunulae may indicate severe conditions, including heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or psoriasis, requiring careful analysis of accompanying symptoms. Black areas at the base of the nail may occur due to trauma, bruises, burns, or even gas poisoning.
No lunulae on nails: reasons there is nothing to worry about if you or your child do not have lunulae on their nails:
Modern doctors say that the absence or lack of lunulae may indicate problems with blood circulation;
However, it is impossible to judge the state of health solely by the appearance of the nails since an accurate diagnosis can only be made after a thorough examination by a qualified doctor;
The absence of lunulae on the nails does not always indicate diseases; sometimes, it is just part of the unique structure of the nail plate in certain people.
So, you should not try to treat yourself by taking medicine because you do not have the little lines on your nails. This does not always mean that you are unwell.
What do perfect nails look like?
The best nails are pink, firm, curved, and shiny, with a clear white area at the base (the lunula). If you have these signs, it means you have a lot of energy and are very healthy. The brightness and clarity of the lunula are a sign of the person’s energy. Having 8 to 10 of these on the hands is considered ideal. Our bodies are designed to work in harmony, and they can send signals about problems with specific organs through changes in the nails’ appearance, including the lunulae’s color and size. If you notice any strange changes to your nails, you should get medical help straight away. So, if you notice any unusual changes in your nails, don’t ignore them.
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