On World Sickle Cell Day, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, highlighted the urgent need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis and timely access to specialised care for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), one of the most common inherited blood disorders in India.
Marking a significant milestone, Dr Gaurav Kharya, Clinical Lead, Centre for Bone Marrow Transplant & Cellular Therapy, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, has now successfully performed more than 215 bone marrow transplants for patients with Sickle Cell Disease, representing one of the largest single-centre experiences globally in the curative treatment of the disorder.
Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic condition that affects the structure and function of red blood cells, leading to severe anaemia, recurrent pain crises, infections, organ damage, stroke and reduced life expectancy. The disease disproportionately affects populations across central, western and tribal regions of India, including states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha and Rajasthan.
According to global estimates, nearly 300,000–400,000 children are born with Sickle Cell Disease every year worldwide, with India accounting for approximately 10–13 per cent of annual global sickle cell births. The disease remains a major public health challenge, affecting millions of individuals and placing a significant social, emotional and economic burden on families.
While advances in medical management have improved survival and quality of life, timely intervention remains critical in preventing irreversible complications and improving long-term outcomes for patients living with Sickle Cell Disease.
The importance of timely diagnosis and access to specialised treatment is reflected in the outcomes achieved for patients at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. One such example is five-year-old Bhavya, who was diagnosed with severe Sickle Cell Disease in infancy and experienced frequent painful episodes, regular hospital visits and dependence on blood transfusions from an early age. Given the severity of his condition, he underwent a successful haplo-identical stem cell transplant under the care of Dr Gaurav Kharya and his multidisciplinary team, with his sister serving as a partially matched donor. Following the procedure, Bhavya recovered well without major complications, offering him the possibility of a healthier, transfusion-free future.
Equally encouraging is the case of a 23-year-old woman who had been living with Sickle Cell Disease since the age of 10 and had experienced recurrent episodes of severe pain caused by blockage of blood flow in small blood vessels, along with episodes of acute chest syndrome. Despite the challenges associated with long-standing disease, she successfully underwent a matched sibling donor stem cell transplant and recovered well without major complications.
