The United Nations General Assembly identified sickle cell disease as one of the first genetic diseases. In 2008, it acknowledged sickle cell disease as a public health problem and recognised June 19 as the World Sickle Cell Day. Since then, it is observed every year to raise awareness and understanding about sickle cell disease and the challenges faced by those who have it and their families. This year, a seminar was organized by AIPH University and Prof. Priyanka Samal, Head, Department of Clinical Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant, IMS & SUM Hospital and Medical College Bhubaneswar was the guest speaker. 



Prof. Samal’s seminar titled "Approaches in the Diagnosis and Management of Sickle Cell Disease" was informative and touched upon many critical aspects of this disease. Prof. Samal explained to the audience about the social stigma of marrying people with sickle cell illness and trait-carrying persons. She emphasized the need for promoting public awareness and break this taboo. She stressed the importance of genetic counselling before marriage and conducting detailed clinical and family history studies for patients and traits of sickle cell disease. Furthermore, she highlighted the pathophysiology and diagnosis in patients with sickle cell disease vs. traits. She explained different screening methods, on blood transfusion, hydroxyurea administration, the role of gene therapy and management of sickle cell disease. 



Honorable Vice-Chancellor Padma Shree Prof. Aditya Prasad Dash also spoke at the event and briefly described the genetic causes of sickle cell disease. The seminar was well attended by the Deans, faculty members, and students of School of Biological Sciences, School of Public Health and School of Allied Health Sciences.