SCB Launches Odisha’s First Sickle Cell Centre of Competence

Odisha has launched its first Sickle Cell Centre of Competence at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as part of efforts to eliminate sickle cell disease from the country by 2047.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling inaugurated the centre at the Clinical Haematology Department of SCB. The facility has been supported by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, with an estimated investment of around ₹3.90 crore.

Sambalpur, Deogarh and Nabarangpur are among the districts reporting a higher prevalence of sickle cell disease. SCB currently treats around 600 sickle cell patients every month.

Under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, Odisha has set a target of screening 65 lakh people. So far, 64,70,319 people have been screened under the programme. The screening has identified around 1.07 lakh sickle cell patients and 6.11 lakh carriers.

The new centre will provide advanced diagnosis for sickle cell disease, thalassemia, haemophilia and other genetic blood disorders through next-generation sequencing. The technology can also support cancer genomics.

An automated capillary zone electrophoresis facility will help confirm genetic blood disorders in newborns and enable early diagnosis and treatment.

SCB has also developed the country’s first single-window model day-care centre under the National Health Mission. The 20-bed air-conditioned facility offers OPD consultation, blood transfusion, treatment, laboratory services, medicine distribution and counselling under one roof.

A second Centre of Competence is proposed at VIMSAR, Burla. The government also plans to expand the model across all 30 districts of Odisha.