The mission to cut out sickle cell disease by 2047 will involve raising awareness, universal screening of seven million people in the age group 0-40 in affected tribal areas, and the guidance through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments, Sitharaman said.

Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a group of inherited disorders of the red blood cells.

Signs begin during the first year of life, usually around five months of age, and may include painful swelling of the hands and feet, fatigue, yellowing of the skin (jaundice) or the whites of the eyes, anemia, organ damage and infections.

Finance Minister said that certain laboratories of the Indian Council of Medical Research will be made available to members of public and private medical schools and private sector research and development teams in order to encourage research and innovation.

jrr/llp/oda/abm