The government on Thursday announced a major initiative aimed at developing a new drug for sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects India’s tribal populations. A reward of Rs 10 crore will be granted for the successful development of an effective treatment.
Sickle cell disease, an inherited condition, alters the shape of red blood cells, causing them to assume a sickle-like form. This abnormal shape obstructs normal blood flow, leading to a range of severe complications, including stroke, infections, and vision problems.
In a landmark step toward eliminating the disease, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission on July 1, 2023, with the ambitious target of eradicating the condition by 2047. As part of the mission, the government plans to screen seven crore individuals below the age of 40 across the country.
At a special event marking World Sickle Cell Day, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey announced the establishment of the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Prize — a Rs 10 crore award for developing a drug specifically for sickle cell disease. Uikey highlighted that currently, only a single drug is available to manage the condition, leaving patients with no alternative options that account for individual body responses, disease severity, or special circumstances such as pregnancy or coexisting illnesses. This gap underscores the urgent need for more effective and adaptable treatment options.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in partnership with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, will conduct a nationwide competition to identify and support promising drug development proposals. The selected project will receive financial backing of up to Rs 10 crore.
In addition to promoting drug innovation, Uikey announced the creation of a Centre for Tribal Health and Research Institute under AIIMS-Delhi. The institute will provide both outpatient and inpatient care specifically for tribal populations, ensuring high-quality medical services. Plans are underway to create streamlined referral pathways connecting remote tribal hospitals to the centre.
The proposed institute will also serve as an advisory body, helping shape government policies related to tribal health. Furthermore, a specialised postgraduate course in tribal medicine is being designed. This program aims to create a dedicated cadre of healthcare professionals equipped with the clinical expertise, cultural understanding, and public health skills necessary to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by tribal communities, who often encounter systemic, geographical, and socio-cultural barriers to healthcare access.