UGC asks colleges, universities to include chapter on sickle cell disorders in course curriculum

NEW DELHI: University Grants Commission (UGC) asks all higher educational institutions to include a chapter on sickle cell disorders in the syllabus. The commission has made this decision after the disease was brought to its notice by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

In a letter to Vice-Chancellors of all universities and principals of all institutes, Professor Manis Joshi, Secretary, UGC stated to consider including a chapter on inherited blood/ sickle cell disorders, its cause, treatment, inheritance pattern and modes of testing and preventing in the curriculum.

"It is given to understand that SCD is a recessive gene disorder that results in severe, lifelong anemia with potentially life threatening co-morbidity and mortality. India has the second highest burden of sickle cell disease incidence in the world, with an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 children born each year with the disorder," reads an official statement.

"It has also been informed that the symptoms can be effectively managed with adequate awareness, counselling and specific therapy. Further, it was opined that SCD awareness at different community levels including school and higher educational institutions through a well-drafted educational program may be helpful in combating the SCD," it added.