Udaipur- Novo Nordisk Education Foundation (NNEF), a non-profit organization established by Novo Nordisk India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ravindra Nath Tagore (RNT) Medical College, Udaipur, to set up a 'Sickle Cell Wellness Hub' dedicated to individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

The MoU was signed by Dr. Vipin Mathur, Principal and Controller of RNT Medical College, and Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Trustee of Novo Nordisk Education Foundation. The event was also attended by Dr. R.L. Suman, Medical Superintendent of MB Government Hospital, Udaipur, and Dr. Lakhan Poswal, Senior Professor, Head of Pediatrics, and Nodal Officer of the SCD Center of Excellence at RNT Medical College, Udaipur.

Nodal Officer Dr. Lakhan Poswal emphasized that this public-private partnership is aligned with the Government of India's National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission 2023, which aims to eradicate SCD from India by 2047.

The Sickle Cell Wellness Hub will provide comprehensive care to economically disadvantaged individuals suffering from SCD in Rajasthan, particularly those from tribal communities. The hub will offer a range of services, including timely diagnosis, access to care, continuous monitoring, dietary adjustments, and counseling for other self-care activities.

The program's objective is to enhance the existing infrastructure for SCD care, making it more child-friendly while strengthening capacity-building initiatives among disease specialists. Additionally, regular educational and awareness camps will be organized for various caregivers, including healthcare providers, frontline health workers such as Anganwadi workers, and auxiliary nurses.

Early Detection and Diagnosis Support

Commenting on the MoU, Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Trustee of Novo Nordisk Education Foundation, stated that 1.4 million adults and children in India are affected by Sickle Cell Disease, with tribal communities being the most impacted due to poor health conditions and limited access to healthcare services.

He expressed NNEF's commitment to addressing this severe public health issue, noting that the foundation's research and development team is dedicated to finding appropriate solutions that enable people living with SCD to lead normal and fulfilling lives. The 'Sickle Cell Wellness Hub' represents a significant step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure for the early detection and diagnosis of this life-threatening disease. Previously, NNEF has partnered with various state governments in different capacities to develop programs that bring the qualitative and quantitative aspects of NCDs to the forefront within society.

Principal Dr. Vipin Mathur added, "SCD is a genetic condition prevalent among India's tribal population, with approximately 1 in every 86 births among ST communities being affected by it. Rajasthan bears a significant burden of this disease. However, it has been found that effective management can mitigate the severity of SCD. We are committed to implementing a comprehensive healthcare approach that brings the most advanced science and technology to bear against this disease, fostering a social revolution in the process. Our overarching goal is to ensure affordable and quality healthcare access for all SCD patients while reducing disease prevalence through awareness, behavioral changes, and screening. We congratulate Novo Nordisk Education Foundation on this collaboration and believe this partnership is a major step towards achieving our goal of improving the quality of life for those suffering from SCD in Rajasthan."

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Lakhan Poswal said, "Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic hemoglobin disorder that requires lifelong management and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among children. We are pleased to partner with Novo Nordisk Education Foundation in our joint effort to tackle the SCD burden in Rajasthan through awareness, education, and improved diagnosis."

The long-term objective of this partnership is to promote early screening and provide those suffering from SCD with a robust healthcare infrastructure, better diagnosis, and clinical care, along with psychological and social support tools for self-care through education.

This initiative is expected to significantly benefit Rajasthan's tribal communities, who have long been marginalized and underserved in terms of healthcare access.