Survey suggests that there is a
very high prevalence of sickle cell
genes in the tribal community of
South Gujarat. It has been found
to be 31 per cent among the
Dodia Patel tribe, 28 per cent in
Chaudhary, 31 per cent in Gamit,
27 per cent in Vasava, 28 per
cent in Rathwa, 29 per cent in
Bhils, 27 per cent among Tadvi,
31 per cent among Naika, 28 per
cent among Baria, 20 per cent
among Dhanaka, and seven per
cent among Kolacha, Kotavadia
and Kathodi.
Doctors say out of a total of
76,653 tribals tested for sickle
cells so far at these centres,
10,351 were found carrying
traits of the disease, with 677 of
them suffering from the disease.
The state Health department has
advised tribals planning to tie the
knot to get their blood tested for
traces of the genetic sickle cell
disease. The advice follows the
high incidence of sickle cell traits
in their Red Blood Cells (RBC),
which cause sickle cell anaemia, a
genetic disease for which there
is little treatment or cure, as of
now.
About the genetic disorder:
Sickle cell anaemia occurs due to
inherited abnormal haemoglobin
gene, which changes the red
blood cells from its normal
biconcave shape to a 'sickle
shape'. Sickle-shaped RBCs also
reduce the cell's ability to propel
blood through the capillaries,
obstructing the flow of blood
into vital organs resulting in
retarded growth. Studies have
shown that as the bone marrow
is not capable of producing
enough blood cells to keep pace
with the rate of destruction,
often leading to heamolytic
anaemia, which in turn, causes
haemolytic jaundice, changing
the colour of face and palm to
yellow. In other words, the
anaemia in sickle cell patients is
not linked with iron deficiency
but rather to deformed RBC, say
doctors.
Diagnosis facilities:
Concerned over the high
incidence of this genetically
linked disease, the state health
department has now, in
collaboration with the Valsad
Raktdan Kendra (VRK), set up 78
screening and counselling
centres in Surat, Tapi, Valsad,
Dangs and Navsari, places where
this disease is more prevalent.
The 78 centres in South Gujarat
to screen the sickle cell traits and
disease include one in Surat
Medical College, three general
hospitals, 44 primary health
centres, 29 community health
centres and one at Valsad
Raktadan Kendra.
A lot of work in sickle cell
anemia is being done by Dr.
Jyotish Patel, Bardoli.
He has also published a book on
Sickle cell Anemia. His work is
particularly relevant to the tribal
populations of South Gujarat.
'આજ જ ભવિશ્યના જગત ને બદલવાનો દિવસ છે' આ વેબસાઇટ નો ઉદ્દેશ્ય, જે લોકો ગુજરાતની અવગણેલી આદિવસી પ્રજામા શિક્ષણ માટે મદદ કરવા ઇચ્છે છે તેમને એકત્રિત કરવાનો છે . આ વેબનો બીજો ઉદ્દેશ્ય ધોડિયા સમાજની ભવ્યતા બતાવવાનો છે. મે ધોડિયા ભાષા, ઇતિહાસ, માન્યતા, સાન્સ્ક્રુતિક જિવનનો ઓનલાઇન દસ્તાવેજ બનાવ્યો છ