Editorial 1 : Eradicating sickle cell disease, securing the future of India’s tribal communities
Recent Context:
- Recently, Government launched National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSCEM) in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh
- Continuous efforts are being made by the Government of India to ensure that the benefits of the country’s advanced healthcare facilities reach every individual, even those on the bottom rungs of the social ladder.
Ensuring the inclusive heath to tribal communities:
- In India, there are approximately 706 different tribal communities, which constitute 8.6 per cent of the total population. Tribal population is an integral part of our country’s rich cultural heritage.
- The Government of India is fully committed to the health and development of the tribal population as a national priority, taking into account their ethical values, traditions, socio-economic conditions, and tribal organisations.
- Sickle cell disease is a serious health challenge in India’s tribal population. Sickle cell is a genetic disorder in which a person’s red blood cells become distorted and take on a sickle-like shape.
- This disease is commonly found among tribal communities. It poses a significant threat to the future and existence of our indigenous populations, and it is imperative to prevent the spread of this disease in a timely manner.
Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047:
- Recently, in central Budget for the financial year 2023-24, government announced the launch of the national campaign “Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047” to eradicate this challenge of sickle cell.
- Sickle cell disease exists in two forms within the human body. One is the Sickle Cell trait, in which the individual does not exhibit any disease or symptoms, and lives a normal life. The second form is characterised by the presence of symptoms related to sickle cell disease.
- In 13 states of the country, namely Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, there is a high prevalence of this disease, and in four states of the country, namely Bihar, Assam, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, there is a partial prevalence of sickle cell disease.
An inclusive approach for elimination of Sickle Cell Anaemia
- A person suffering from Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) faces numerous health problems, including persistent pain, fatigue, and anaemia, which significantly impact their quality of life.
- Under the mission, efforts are being made to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia through two approaches.
- The first approach focuses on prevention, ensuring that new cases are not born, while the second approach involves managing the treatment and providing adequate healthcare facilities for individuals already affected by the disease.
- A comprehensive ecosystem is being developed to address these aspects and ensure access to proper healthcare and management for Sickle Cell Anaemia patients
- If two individuals with Sickle Cell trait marry each other, there is a high probability that their child will have Sickle Cell disease.
- By screening individuals for Sickle Cell trait before marriage, the spread of the disease can be prevented. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the states, has formulated a plan to screen approximately 70 million individuals aged 0-40 years belonging to tribal and other groups residing in nearly 200 districts of 17 states within the next few years. The goal is to eliminate Sickle Cell disease by the year 2047.
- After screening, individuals will be provided with smart cards in their local language, enabling prospective partners to easily determine whether their future children will be affected by Sickle Cell disease or not.
- To implement this entire programme, monitoring mechanisms will be established at various levels to ensure participation and bring awareness on a large scale.
- Individuals identified with the disease through screening will undergo regular testing, receive treatment and medication, vaccinations for other diseases, get dietary support, and have access to timely counselling services. All of these provisions will be ensured.
Significant role of Through the Ayushman Bharat scheme
- Country has established a network of 1.6 lakh Health and Wellness Centres since 2018, which has played a crucial role in combating epidemics like Covid19.
- These centres will also play a significant role in eradicating sickle cell disease along with other diseases. We have trained healthcare workers in these centers to provide better treatment for sickle cell patients.
- A web portal has been created using digital technology to track and maintain a complete record of sickle cell patients
Conclusion:
- The government has allocated a sufficient budget, utilised advanced technology, provided training to healthcare workers, ensured necessary infrastructure, and made efforts in social awareness and participation to combat this disease. These ensdeavours are the result of strong determination and policy decisions.
- Therefore, this mission will pave the way for the elimination of sickle cell anaemia by the year 2047, ensuring the preservation of India’s tribal population which has kept the country’s heritage alive.
Editorial 2 : SCO meet today: What’s on the table
Recent Context:
- Recently, India is hosting the virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) which is likely to see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- The meeting comes at a crucial time, with India’s ties with neighbours Pakistan and China tense and war raging in Europe.
What is the significance of the meeting at such a time?
Xi is likely to participate in this meeting, three years after the Galwan clash and months ahead of his visit to India for the G20 summit. Could this meeting have any bearing on either of these two things?
- As far as the border standoff is concerned India and China have held regular and multiple rounds of talks, and China has been unwilling to relent as far as de-escalation and disengagement in some key areas is concerned.
- India’s External Affairs Minister has met his counterpart several times. India’s Raksha Mantri has also met the Chinese Defence Minister many times.
- Some progress has been made on some issues but the issue of standoff at Depsang and Demchok remain unresolved. there is less possibility of this virtual meeting making a breakthrough in that direction.
Pak PM Sharif is likely to participate in the meeting.
- At the SCO foreign ministers’ meet in Goa, India had taken a hard line on cross-border terrorism. Again, there is going to be no bilateral here, since this is not an in-person meeting.
- However, fighting terrorism is one of the original mandates of the SCO. The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) is a permanent organ of the SCO.
- Also, at the foreign ministers’ meeting in May, EAM Jaishankar had said that in addition to the New Delhi declaration, we will have another document on de-radicalisation.
- terrorism and cross-border terrorism are going to be a very important part of the declaration.
Expansion of Chines influence over Central Asian countries:
- The Central Asian countries have traditionally been considered Russia’s backyard. But now, China is trying to expand its footprint in the region.
- When Russia said last September that it was going to annex Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, Kazakhstan had said that it would not support that decision. This is the position of the other Central Asian countries. So, I think it is quite clear that Russia’s influence has been declining in this region.
- China has tried to take advantage of that, it organized on May 18 and 19 the China plus Central Asia Summit. China is trying to enhance its presence in the region and fill the vacuum created by the reduced sway of Russia.
- However, while the elites in these countries might not have much of a problem with the growing presence of Beijing, the expanding footprint of China is viewed with great concern and suspicion by the common people in these countries. And, of course, a cognizance of this has to be taken by the respective governments.
- Changing equation between Russia and China:
- What is important to note is that these countries have started looking at options beyond Russia and China.
- Earlier, Russia was seen as the security provider and China as providing the economic traction and ballast. But now these countries don’t want to have total dependence on one or the other.
- In that context, India has great possibilities and opportunities to strengthen its own relations with these five countries of Central Asia. India has taken a number of steps in recent months to further strengthen and expand its partnership with the region.
- Other countries too are looking at this opportunity, such as Turkey, Iran which is going to become a member of SCO this year, and the United States and Europe.
Reasonable expectations from this year SCO summit for India?
- One of the major reasons SCO is important for India is the outreach it provides to the Central Asian countries.
- India has ancient historical, cultural and civilisational links with these countries. They are a part of our extended neighbourhood.
- Until 1991, when they were a part of the Soviet Union, we had very extensive and intensive engagement and partnership with these Soviet republics. But after 1991, because Pakistan does not permit us to have access to these countries through its territory, our engagement came down significantly.
- However, India’s relations with these countries were neglected a few years after their independence in 1991.
- For instance, between 1995 and 2015 there were only four Prime Ministerial visits from India to the region. All this changed after the visit of PM Modi to all the five countries in 2015.
- The SCO has given us a platform to engage with these Central Asian Republics. Being a member of the SCO gives us possibilities of interacting with the leadership at different levels in these countries. And that helps to take our relationship forward.
- Next is the issue of Afghanistan. Particularly after the US withdrawal in 2021, there are so many terrorist groups operating there. To deal with the whole issue of terrorism and radicalisation, it is necessary for us to stay engaged there, and the SCO allows that.
- This time, in addition to the New Delhi Declaration, four separate documents will also be adopted, one on deradicalisation, one on millets, the third is on Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), and the fourth on digitisation
Conclusion:
- There are significant areas where India has strengths, and India can contribute. And this will go to strengthen relations between India and particularly members of the Central Asian countries. And discussions will take place on improving trade and improving investments in these countries.
- Therefore, this summit will definitely go a long way in advancing both India’s interest, and India’s profile and stature in the Region.