Double discrimination Sickle cell anaemia prevention programmes in India

Sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder, is a public health problem for many tribal and rural caste communities in India. Many community members with the condition feel doubly discriminated against – by nature and by the State. Why is this disease more prevalent among such communities? Is the disease inherent to such tribal communities, or is this a myth? As Prasanna Kumar Patra reveals, ongoing sickle cell control programmes in India seem to be better at creating social and ethical issues than they are at controlling the disease.

Download PDF from menu on right to read full article »