In 2006, the Indian Council of Medical Research approved our three-year project proposal to determine the prevalence and distribution of sickle cell anaemia among scheduled tribes (Garasias) of Sirohi district, Rajasthan.

This project is being implemented by our consultant paediatrician as principal investigator and consultant gynaecologist and chief of the village outreach programme as co-investigator.

The project also aims to study the clinical and haematological profile of sickle cell disease, and where possible, to study the effect of preventive measures like penicillin prophylaxis, hematinics (folate), vaccination and health education.