News Release

The initiative, launched as a continuation of Terumo BCT’s Breaking the Sickle Cycle campaign, brought together healthcare professionals from across India involved in the SCD care journey, including hematologists, transfusion medicine specialists, internal medicine physicians, hematologist-oncologists, pediatricians, and obstetricians and gynecologists. Through the pledge, participating healthcare professionals committed to supporting appropriate, evidence-based treatment pathways, including red blood cell exchange (RBCX), for eligible patients.

India has made significant progress in screening for SCD, with more than 7.27 crore (72.7 million) Individuals screened under the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission.¹ However, translating diagnosis into timely and appropriate treatment remains a challenge. Only approximately 10% of India’s blood centers offer therapeutic apheresis,² including RBCX, limiting access to advanced treatment options in many parts of the country.

"Sickle cell disease continues to impose a significant health burden in India, making early diagnosis, timely intervention and access to appropriate treatment and care pathways more important than ever. It is encouraging to see healthcare professionals across the country come together and pledge their commitment to improving outcomes for patients living with SCD. Collective action and continued awareness are critical to ensuring that every patient has access to the care they deserve," said Rahul Bhargava, MD, Principal Director and Chief, Hematology, HematoOncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurgaon.

The initiative also reached clinicians in states carrying a high burden of the disease, highlighting the importance of strengthening treatment pathways at the state level.

"Odisha carries one of the heaviest burdens of sickle cell disease in the country, with 106,355 individuals identified with the disease as of July this year. That scale makes it all the more important to strengthen the continuum of care from diagnosis through to long-term follow-up," said Prof. (Dr.) Smita Mahapatra, Professor and Head, Dept. of Transfusion Medicine and Nodal Officer, Regional Centre, Medical Education Unit, SCB Medical College and Hospital. "In transfusion medicine, we see how much depends on safe, appropriate services and on clinicians being aware of the options available. Greater awareness of advanced approaches such as RBCX, alongside the infrastructure and expertise to deliver them, can help ensure that patients who may benefit are identified and referred in time."

The initiative builds on Terumo BCT's broader work with clinicians and stakeholders to improve access to care for people living with sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin disorders.

"As India strengthens its efforts to identify and support people living with sickle cell disease, the focus must increasingly shift to ensuring that patients can access the right treatment at the right time. Red blood cell exchange is an established option that can play an important role for appropriately selected patients. There is sufficient infrastructure available across the country, but many patients do not know that they need it," said Lawrence Joy, General Manager, India and South Asia, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. "Bringing more than 1,000 healthcare professionals together is an important step toward building awareness about the treatment pathways available and strengthening the clinical ecosystem around sickle cell care. At Terumo BCT, we are committed to working with the healthcare community to help expand access to technologies and treatment approaches that can make a meaningful difference to patients."