Sickle cell anaemia awareness drive & screening for cadets

Bhopal: NCC Group Headquarters Bhopal collaborated with the National Health Mission (NHM) to conduct a screening and awareness drive on Wednesday. The campaign examined 60 cadets from different NCC units as part of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
The initiative, led by Capt Dr C B S Dangi, follows the successful screening of over 38,000 cadets across Madhya Pradesh during the 2024-25 training period.
The programme focuses on early detection and awareness about Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassemia through educational sessions, with the objective of eliminating these conditions from India by 2047. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a hereditary condition, causes chronic anaemia, intense pain, stunted growth, and damage to vital organs including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
Recent years showed an increased occurrence of this serious condition in Central India, necessitating comprehensive intervention strategies. Recognising the NCC's significant reach among youth, NCC Group Headquarters, Bhopal, joined forces with NHM in June 2024 to begin cadet screening across eight units during training periods. Following discussions between the NHM director and the ADG of NCC MP & CG directorate, the initiative expanded to include cadets from all five NCC Groups in MP.
The programme prioritises awareness through educational sessions and discussions led by Dr Dangi at NCC training camps and institutions. He shared his knowledge at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Kamptee, in March 2025, addressing trainee and refresher Associate NCC Officers.