Health Sector in Union Budget 2023: Sickle Cell Anaemia to be Eradicated by 2047

New Delhi: A program will be taken up to eradicate Sickle cell anaemia, especially in tribal regions of the country, by 2047, announced Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2023 presented by her on Wednesday.

“A mission will be launched to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047. The mission will entail awareness creation, universal screening of seven crore people in the 0-40 years age group in affected tribal areas and counselling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments,” said the Finance Minister.

Some of her major announcements for health sector were-

* As many as 157 new nursing colleges will be established in the core locations of the existing 157 medical colleges established since 2014.

*Facilities of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) laboratories will be made available for research by public and private medical college faculty.

*A new programme will also be unveiled to promote research and innovation in pharmaceuticals through centres of excellence.

Apart from it, the PM Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Group Development (PVTG) mission will be used to provide basic amenities, clean housing, health, nutrition, and connectivity to the tribals. Funds worth Rs 15,000 crore will be made available in the next three years for the PVTG mission action plan for scheduled tribes, said the finance minister.