- State-Level Workshop Held in Bhubaneswar to Address Sickle Cell Disease During Pregnancy
BHUBANESWAR,October 22, 2026 [ADN]:An one-day State-Level Review-Cum-Dissemination Workshop on “Sickle Cell Disease during Pregnancy” was successfully organized today at Hotel HHI, Bhubaneswar. The event was jointly organized by the National Health Mission (NHM) Odisha, Directorate of Blood Safety, and UNICEF Odisha.
The workshop aimed to review the implementation of Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme and orient District Public Health Officers (DPHOs) and Assistant Managers (NCD) from 21 high-burden districts, alongside officers and consultants from NHM and key development partners like William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF).
Odisha continues to lead the nation in screening and detection efforts and in a landmark step toward reducing maternal mortality, Odisha has formulated a comprehensive “Protocol for Management of Pregnancy with Sickle Cell Disease.” This is the first of its kind, developed through a collaborative effort involving experts from state medical colleges, program divisions of NHM, Health Directorate and UNICEF.
Sickle Cell Disease during pregnancy poses a significant health risk compared to non-affected pregnancies. Timely, systematic medical interventions can drastically mitigate these risks. The newly launched protocol includes appropriate clinical guidance and responsibilities for healthcare providers at different levels.
The workshop was inaugurated by prominent health administrators and dignitaries, including Shri. Harish Chandra Nayak, Mission Director (In-charge), Dr. Sanjay Kumar Mohapatra, Director, Blood Safety & Public Health, Dr. Bishnu Prasad Mohapatra, Director, Family Welfare ,Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, Team Lead, SHSRC, Dr. Murlidhar Padhi, Additional Director Maternal Health, Dr. Meena Som, Health Specialist, UNICEF Odisha
During the technical sessions, participants reviewed the current status of the Sickle Cell program, planned for efficient implementation of screening, treatment, follow up, transportation benefits, new initiatives in current year as well as received detailed sensitization on the newly introduced protocol. The workshop concluded with the formulation of a joint action plan to ensure seamless district-level implementation of the protocols.
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