Odisha Becomes 1st State to Launch Sickle Cell Protocol for Pregnancy

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 23 October 2026

Odisha has become the first state in India to introduce a dedicated protocol for managing sickle cell disease in pregnant women, marking a significant step towards improving maternal healthcare.

The protocol was launched during a one-day State-Level Review-Cum-Dissemination Workshop on “Sickle Cell Disease during Pregnancy” held at Hotel HHI in Bhubaneswar. The event was jointly organized by the National Health Mission (NHM) Odisha, the Directorate of Blood Safety and UNICEF Odisha.

The workshop brought together District Public Health Officers from 21 districts with a high burden of sickle cell disease, alongside medical experts and development partners, including the William J Clinton Foundation (WJCF). The gathering aimed to strengthen the implementation of the Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Program and improve care for pregnant women affected by the condition.

Key Highlights:

• Odisha becomes India’s first state to launch a dedicated sickle cell disease management protocol for pregnant women
• The protocol provides clinical guidance for diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and timely referrals
• The initiative aims to strengthen maternal healthcare and reduce pregnancy-related complications

Although the state of Odisha has been the centre of screening and detection efforts for Sickle Cell Disease in the country, there was a definite need to tackle the cumulative risk of Sickle Cell Disease in pregnant women. Untreated pregnant women who develop these conditions are at much greater risk of health complications than other pregnant women.

In order to fill this critical gap, a detailed, first-of-its-kind “Protocol for Management of Pregnancy with Sickle Cell Disease” was officially launched. The new protocol was developed in close cooperation by the experts from the state medical colleges, the divisions of NHM, the Health Directorate, and UNICEF, and offers detailed clinical guidance and clear responsibilities to all levels of the healthcare system.

In technical sessions throughout the day, participants reviewed existing screening results, identified pathways for effective treatment, follow-up and transportation, while taking part in comprehensive training on the new guidelines.

The workshop ended with a strong commitment to action through the formulation of a common Action Plan. This roadmap will be implemented from the ground up to the district level, guaranteeing a smooth rollout and implementation of the protocol and eventually making it a powerful example to the rest of the country, and more importantly ensuring that maternal lives are saved.

The protocol is intended to enhance coordination among health care providers and to provide timely diagnosis, frequent monitoring and suitable treatment for pregnant women with sickle cell disease. National Health Mission directives consider pregnancy as a high risk period for affected women and their babies and emphasize on antenatal care, further fetal surveillance and timely medical referral.