Why in news? National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission launched

Highlights:

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

• Group of inherited red blood cell disorders
• If people have sickle cell disease, their red blood cells are crescent or “sickle” shaped.
• These cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of their body leading to serious problems, including stroke, eye problems, infections, and episodes of pain called pain crises