‘SICKLE CELL’ CLINIC INAUGURATED
AT MMI NARAYANA MULTISPECIALITY HOSPITAL
~ Central India identified as high risk prone zone for Sickle cell disease ~
October 18, 2013, Raipur: MMI Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Raipur today inaugurated
‘Sickle cell clinic’ to cater to the increasing number of patients with sickle cell diseases in
Central India. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a widespread genetic disorder characterized by red
blood cells assuming an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape that results in a risk of serious
complications. Dr. Mukesh Sharma, who is trained in hematology with special area of interest in
sickle cell anemia, will consult at this clinic every Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Sickle cell anemia is a disease of red blood cells
that is passed from parent to child. People with
this disease have sickle hemoglobin, a protein of
the red blood cells which is different from
normal hemoglobin. The sickling occurs due to
mutation in the hemoglobin gene found in the
red blood cells which is contributed by the
parent.
Dr. Mukesh Sharma, Consultant Physician and
Haematologist, MMI Narayana Multispeciality
Hospital, Raipur said, “Being aware of the
disease and how it is passed on from parents to
children is a first step towards its prevention.
The high-risk couples for this disorder should be
identified at the time of ante-natal care and each pregnancy should be monitored for sickle cell
disease.” He further added, “One can lead a normal life until the sickle cell mutation turns into a
disease. The diseased person suffers from various complications such as anemia, frequent
infection, fever, hand-foot syndrome, stroke, acute chest pain, vasoocclusive crisis,
spleenomegaly, hepatomegaly, renal failure, leg ulcers etc.”
The sickle cell gene occurs throughout Indian society although it is most common among the
tribal people. About 50% of Sickle cell disease is found in India and is the most common genetic
disorder in the tribal belt of Central and Southern India. Prevalence of sickle haemoglobin in the
Gond group of tribes in Chhattisgarh generally varies from 15-25 percent. There are 12 districts
in Chhattisgarh which fall in main sickle cell belt of the state which are Dantewada, Bastar,
Kanker, Korba, Mahasumund, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Kawardha, Bilaspur, Durg, Raipur and
Jangjir Champa.
The tribes of Chhattisgarh which have shown high prevalence rates of sickle hemoglobin include
Halba of Rajnandgaon and Durg districts, Muria and Hillmaria of Bastar districts. Studies also
suggest that scheduled castes and some of OBC groups like Sahu, Chandrakar, Kurmi and Yadav
of Southern and Central Western Chhattisgarh also have the sickle hemoglobin.
The Sickle cell clinic will offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for sickle cell diseases of
all types. The clinic will also create awareness about prevention and management of this
disease.
‘Narayana Hrudayalaya is now Narayana Health’
About Narayana Health:
Narayana Health (formerly Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals) founded by Dr. Devi Shetty has 22 hospitals across 14
Indian cities with total of 6200 beds. The flagship hospital at NH Health City in Bangalore has India’s largest Bone
Marrow Transplant Unit and Dialysis unit with tertiary care expertise in Liver, Kidney and Heart transplants. The
Group has one of the largest tele-medicine networks, and is performing the highest number of heart surgeries in
the world. With health cities similar to Bangalore coming up in Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Jaipur, Narayana Health is
transforming healthcare delivery through process innovation.
Note to the Editor:
Narayana Hrudayalaya, the nation’s pre-eminent healthcare provider has now got a new identity – Narayana
Health
From a humble beginning of a 200 beds Cardiac Hospital, we grew into a 6,200 beds multi-specialty healthcare
conglomerate in a span of 13 years, cutting across a variety of specialties, partnerships and geographies.
The thing about rapid growth is that it is usually accompanied with a host of complications. The primary one was
that of maintaining a distinctive identity. Our brand represents a singularity of purpose and commitment with
Quality, compassion and affordability being hallmarks of our brand promise. The rebranding initiative builds on all
the exceptional work we have done and the accomplishments we have achieved. It focuses and directs our future
efforts into carefully phased, definitive plan that enables us to express ourselves consistently in everything we say
and do.
It is an organizing principle that integrates our legacy, our locations, disciplines, talents and expertise – and the
human mission that binds everyone at NH. Our new tagline – ‘Health for all. All for Health’, nothing less than a
clarion call, captures the essence of our belief in the democratization of healthcare – in India and around the
world.