India’s sickle cell disease fight gets a tech boost with drones

Researchers from the DKMS MSBT, a non-governmental organization, found that one of the major challenges in the fight against sickle cell disease (SCD) in India is the lack of diagnostic facilities in remote and rural areas.

A lack of diagnostic services in remote and rural areas of India is a major challenge in the fight against sickle cell disease (SCD). According to a report by DKMS MSBT, around 20 million people in India were diagnosed with SCD in 2023. This makes it the second-most impacted country globally in terms of the likelihood of newborns being affected by SCD.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cell. It causes the red blood cells to become sickle-like in shape, blocking blood vessels and causing pain. The disease mainly affects people of red blood cell lineage and can significantly impact their physical and mental health.