Thu Jun 19 14:28:49 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Indian government is taking significant steps to address health inequities faced by tribal communities, particularly regarding Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Plans include establishing a National Tribal Health and Research Institute (NTHRI) under AIIMS-Delhi, launching a drug development competition with a substantial prize, and offering a postgraduate course in tribal medicine. These initiatives aim to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research related to SCD and other diseases prevalent among tribal populations, with a focus on developing new drugs and training medical professionals with specialized knowledge. The government has screened over 5.8 crore people for SCD and has identified many positive cases.
**News Article:**
**India to Establish Tribal Health Institute, Launch Drug Prize for Sickle Cell Disease**
*New Delhi, June 19, 2025* – The Indian government has announced a series of initiatives aimed at improving healthcare for tribal communities, with a significant focus on combating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey unveiled plans at an event marking World Sickle Cell Disease Day at AIIMS-Delhi.
A key component of the government’s strategy is the establishment of a National Tribal Health and Research Institute (NTHRI) under the umbrella of AIIMS in New Delhi. The institute aims to be a leading research center for diseases prevalent among tribal populations, guiding government policy and providing high-quality medical care.
In a bid to accelerate drug development for SCD, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi, is launching the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Prize. This competition will award up to ₹10 crore in funding to the winning drug development project. Currently, only one drug is available for managing SCD, creating an urgent need for new treatment options tailored to individual patient conditions.
To address the long-standing health inequities faced by tribal communities, the government also plans to introduce a postgraduate course in “tribal medicine.” This specialized course will train a new generation of medical professionals with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to effectively serve tribal communities.
The government also reported that efforts to develop a gene therapy for SCD are progressing and currently in the trial stage. These efforts are supported by existing initiatives, including Centers of Competence (CoC) in 15 tertiary care hospitals, including AIIMS, that provide advanced diagnostics and management for SCD.
These ambitious plans follow the screening of over 5.8 crore people across 17 states for SCD traits, resulting in the identification of about 16.38 lakh people with SCD traits and 2.1 lakh individuals with the disease itself.
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