Sickle cell anemia, a grave challenge against MMR reduction in tribal Gujarat: PMSMA awardee Dr. Deshmukh

New Delhi: A Gujarat based lady gynaecologist Dr. Darshna Deshmukh was conferred award for reduction in mother mortality rate in a function held here to honour PMSMA (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matrutva Abhiyan) ‘IPledgeFor9’ achievers. The award to Dr. Darshna was presented by union health minister Shri JP Nadda. Among nearly 40 private doctors from across the nation honoured in this function, Dr. Darshna was the only one from Gujarat.

Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Dr. Deshmukh who works in district headquarters Rajpipla in Narmada district of Central Gujarat said, she heard Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat radio address two years back in which Shri Modi had appealed private doctors to allocate 12 days every year for free checkup and counselling of pregnant women.The Prime Minister had appealed private doctors to allocate 9th day of every month for this purpose.

Motivated by Prime Minister’s appeal, Darshnaben started check up of pregnant women from tribal populated Narmada district for free on 9th day of every month. She would also give free medicine to needy patients in many cases.

Darshnaben said, ‘Asha workers and local Public Health Centre(PHCs) would direct needy pregnant women to my private facility Shri Yogi Maternity Home along with government facilities. In two years more than 2500 pregnant women are given treatment at my facility.’

Describing the details of major issue of sickle cell anemia which is found among tribal people, Dr. Deshmukh said, ‘blood cells are generally round shaped, but in sickle cell anemia they become sickle shaped or curved shaped. Due to split in blood cells, a serious problem of hemolysis occurs. Blood loss, weakness, reduction in oxygen carrying capacity, tiredness, blood clotting are some of the associated issues. This problem is not curable. 25% of pregnant women among tribal suffer from sickle cell anemia. Medical camps are organized for sickling test. Pregnant women found suffering from sickle cell anemia are put in high-risk category and their condition is tracked during entire period of pregnancy. Electrophoresis test which is conducted in Ahmedabad and Vyara confirms whether the mother suffering from sickle cell anemia is a case of disease or trait.’

The government has recently sanctioned HPCL machine for electrophoresis test for tribal populated Narmada district, thanks to which the samples will not be needed to be sent to Vyara and Ahmedabad.

There’s no cure of sickle cell anemia which is found in entire tribal belt of not only Gujarat but nationwide and even abroad. The only prevention is to prevent marriage between persons suffering from sickle cell anemia disease.

According to Dr. Deshmukh who is also the president of Indian Medical Association’s Narmada district unit, ‘the network of ASHA workers, Anganwadi women, FSW nurses, PHC centres and Taluka Health Officers(THO) is very sound. They report the cases of pregnant women and high-risk pregnancies. Mamata card’s online entry system also helps. The system has been strengthened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on this issue. Narmada district where Dr. Deshmukh works is also one of aspirational district in India(and one of only two aspirational districts in Gujarat. The other one is Dahod). Government’s attention has therefore increased in this area.’

‘Blood loss, high blood pressure post five months of pregnancy, blood loss, proper nutrition, folic acid input etc are other areas of concern,’ said Dr. Deshmukh whose husband Dr. Rajkumar Bhagat serves in civil hospital in Rajpipla.

DeshGujarat