Match sickle cell status, not horoscopes before marriage, say experts in Odisha
One can endure the excruciating pain caused by the disease, but it is far more difficult to overcome the stigma associated with it, says Asish, a Homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia patient.
Experts in Odisha urge couples to focus on medical reports, not horoscopes, when considering marriage, particularly for those with sickle cell disease (SCD) or related traits. Malini, a 42-year-old resident of Angul district, has lived with SCD since birth and successfully married a man who also had the condition. However, her future partner, Asish, struggled to convince his girlfriend's family of the safety of their union due to the stigma surrounding the disease.
SCD is prevalent in Odisha, affecting around 10.61% of the population. The National Alliance for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Control (NASCETC) was formed to address the social stigma and stigma associated with sickle cell disease and thalassemia. The Union government launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme (NSCAEP) in Odisha in 2023 to eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047.
Experts advise couples to match sickle cell medical reports, not horoscopes, and for pregnant women and family members to undergo prenatal and screening tests as preventive measures. While medicines and haematology departments are available, social stigma remains a significant challenge, with some patients concealing their condition to avoid social backlash.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
