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.
A recent meeting in Odisha highlighted the importance of medical reports in marriage decisions for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Malini, a 42-year-old SCD patient, married a healthy husband and gave birth to a healthy son, demonstrating that SCD does not prevent a couple from having a normal life. However, Asish, a SCD patient who is both a Homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia patient and a public-sector employee, faced significant social stigma despite his successful career.
Experts emphasized that matching sickle cell medical reports, rather than horoscopes, is crucial before marriage. The National Alliance for Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Control (NASCETC) aims to create a stronger support system for people living with SCD and thalassemia. The Union government's National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme (NSCAEP) seeks to eliminate SCD as a public health problem by 2047, addressing both medical interventions and social stigma.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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