Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Thursday announced that the state’s first Centre of Competence (CoC) for sickle cell anaemia has received approval from the central government. The CoC will be established in Surat at an estimated cost of ₹6 crore and will focus on holistic patient care, education, and research.

The announcement was made during the launch of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission 2047, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Ministries of Health and Tribal Affairs have sanctioned ₹6 crore to support the initiative. The centre will also serve as a training hub for nodal officers, counsellors, and healthcare workers from 14 tribal districts across the state.

South Gujarat, home to the largest tribal population in the state, also sees a high incidence of sickle cell cases. Owing to this, the new civil hospital in Surat has been chosen as the location for the CoC. The facility will include a dedicated lab for sickle cell diagnostics, 30 treatment beds, and two ICU beds, according to an official statement.

To strengthen healthcare delivery, a specialised training unit will be set up to build capacity among medical professionals. The CoC is expected to significantly address the burden of hereditary conditions like sickle cell anaemia by focusing on long-term and sustainable healthcare solutions.

Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder in which red blood cells become sickle-shaped and carry abnormal haemoglobin, leading to various health complications. DeshGujarat