Cuttack: Health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday inaugurated the state’s first centre of competence (CoC) for sickle cell disease at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, to help eliminate genetic blood disorders.The facilities under one roof, set up under the department of clinical haematology with Rs 3.9 crore approved by tribal affairs ministry, aim to serve patients from across all 30 districts.Inaugurating the advanced facility, Mahaling emphasised the govt’s resolve to tackle high prevalence of genetic blood disorders in Odisha, which currently stands at nearly 15.6%. “This state-of-the-art facility will act as a milestone in healthcare, bringing cutting-edge genomic techniques within reach of the common man. Our mission is clear — to completely eradicate sickle cell disease as a public health concern by 2047,” said health minister Mukesh Mahaling.The centre unveils two state-of-the-art technologies for the first time in eastern India claimed SCB, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Automated Capillary Zone Electrophoresis. While NGS will aid in prenatal diagnosis, cancer genomics and comprehensive management of diseases like thalassemia and haemophilia, the automated electrophoresis unit will enable reliable newborn screening informed SCB haematology department.Simultaneously, the minister opened single-window model day care centre at the institute. Upgraded by the National Health Mission, this 20-bed air-conditioned unit will offer single-window OPD registrations, blood transfusions, diagnostics, free medicines, and counselling under one roof.“The introduction of Next Generation Sequencing and automated newborn screening marks a major leap forward for clinical hematology. With these advanced diagnostic tools, we can now provide accurate, molecular-level diagnosis for complex blood disorders like sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia right at the earliest stage, which is under one roof, many patients will be benefited,” said Sudha Sethy, head of department of clinical haematology, SCB.Under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, Odisha has screened over 68 lakh people, identifying more than 1.07 lakh sickle cell patients and 6.11 lakh carriers.Officials confirmed that plans are underway to replicate this pilot model across all district headquarters hospitals.
