CBSE and the state governments have received a request from the union health ministry to include genetic diseases, especially the blood disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia in the school curriculum. This would create awareness towards genetics and prevention of hemoglobinopathies (a group of disorders and diseases affecting red blood cells). Delhi government may soon adopt the suggestion and become a trend-setter.
It is vital to create awareness of such genetic diseases right from the school level because as the National consultant, blood cell in the health ministry the number of cases of such genetic diseases is growing alarmingly in India and availability of blood and high medical expense is a perpetual problem for the parents of the affected children.
Not only awareness but the policy also proposes to carrier screening of the students. This screening will be voluntary while antenatal testing to be made compulsory.
Source: Livemint.com
