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Published : 11 May, 2026
Dr. Narendra Agrawal,Senior Consultant in Hemato-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at RGCIRC, outlines Odisha’s successful, multi-pronged strategy for managing inherited blood disorders like sickle cell disease and thalassemia. He emphasizes that Odisha’s model succeeds through “grounded execution” rather than just policy, focusing on early awareness in schools, simplified single-step diagnostic pathways, and integrating screening into existing touchpoints like antenatal care and mobile outreach. Dr. Agrawal notes that the state has already screened over 46 lakh people and provides essential support—such as free medicines, blood transfusions, and financial aid for bone marrow transplants—to ensure that diagnosis leads to actual care. He concludes that Odisha’s practical, patient-centered approach serves as a vital roadmap for the rest of India to reach the national goal of eliminating these diseases by 2047.
