Nilgiris screening identifies 340 people with sickle-cell disease
Nilgiris officials say 61,393 tribal residents were screened over eight years, identifying 340 people with the disease and 1,650 people with sickle-cell trait.
AI-generated symbolic illustration. It does not depict an actual patient, health worker or screening event. © MyNilgiris, 2026.
Summary: The Nilgiris public-health department says 61,393 people from tribal communities have been screened for sickle-cell disease over the past eight years. An official said screening identified 340 people with the disease and 1,650 people, including non-tribal residents, with sickle-cell trait.
What the screening figures show
The Times of India reported the figures on October 15, quoting Dr D. Somasundaram, the district deputy director of public health. They count people identified through screening programmes; they are not an estimate of the disease’s total prevalence across the district.
Health organisations working in Gudalur and Pandalur are strengthening counselling for people of reproductive age and newborn screening. The public-health department says screening is also being extended to new areas and communities, including Badagas. The report says Government Medical College Hospital, Udhagamandalam, is following 49 patients.
What research establishes
A 2026 review in the Journal of Haematology and Allied Sciences says sickle-cell disease reported in the Nilgiris–Wayanad region is generally milder than in some central Indian tribal populations. It also cautions that much of the available evidence is hospital-based, cannot establish population-wide prevalence, and requires larger studies.
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission emphasises screening, awareness, genetic counselling, continuing care and links between primary, secondary and tertiary services. Sickle-cell disease is inherited; it is not contagious.
Sources and verification
Image disclosure: AI-generated symbolic illustration. It does not depict an actual patient, health worker or screening event. Image: MyNilgiris / OpenAI, 2026.
