India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD in New York on September 23, joining a global partnership intended to improve access to sickle cell care. The initiative brings governments together with the WHO, UNICEF, Africa CDC and other health organisations to coordinate work around national priorities.
At the launch, India described its programme of screening, counselling, treatment and follow-up under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. More than 72.9 million people had been screened, identifying over two million carriers and 250,000 people with the disease, according to the health ministry's subsequent update.
India's mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia as a public health problem by 2047. Officials highlighted efforts to widen access to point-of-care testing and hydroxyurea, alongside research on an indigenous gene-editing therapy. The partnership seeks to connect such country programmes and improve access to ongoing care.