Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar is set to be recognized as a Centre of Excellence for advanced treatment and high-level research in sickle cell disease. This announcement was made by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram during an event organized at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day.
Patients not only from Odisha but also from neighboring states are visiting AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment of sickle cell disease. Once the centre is established, it will significantly strengthen AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s capabilities in providing quality treatment and advanced research in this area, the minister stated.
The Government of India has set a goal to eliminate sickle cell anemia by 2047. So far, 4.70 crore people across the country have been screened, among whom 1.63 crore have been identified as carriers of the disease and 2.10 lakh have been diagnosed as patients, according to the minister.
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Director Professor Ashutosh Biswas informed that over 700 registered sickle cell patients are currently receiving regular treatment at the institute. Among them, more than 500 are children and adolescents aged between 0 to 19 years.
The hospital offers regular diagnostic services, treatment, and carrier screening, which also includes testing of family members of affected individuals, said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, who is also an eminent infectious disease specialist and Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
During the visit, the Union Minister also inspected the institute’s dedicated medical facilities.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Amit Kumar (IAS), Dr. Dilip Kumar Parida (Medical Superintendent), Lt. Col. Abhijit Sarkar (Deputy Director, Administration), Santosh Kumar Rath (Deputy Director, SCST RTI), Ramesh Chand Chandrawal (Ministry of Tribal Affairs), Dr. Sonali Mahapatra (Head, Hematology Department), Dr. Ashutosh Panigrahi, Dr. Debashish Sahu, along with other heads of departments, professors, and faculty members.