For sickle cell patients, an elusive disability certificate

Source: The post is based on the article “For sickle cell patients, an elusive disability certificate”  published in The Hindu on 14th September 2023

What is the News?

The Union government has been publicizing its campaign to ‘eradicate’ sickle-cell disease by 2047.

But there are some issues the government is facing in the issuance of disability certificates to sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients.

What is Sickle-cell disease(SCD)?

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What are the issues the government is facing in issuance of Disability certificates to sickle-cell disease patients?

Delay in issuance of Disability certificates: The Indian government has been delaying the issue of permanent disability certificates to individuals with sickle-cell disease (SCD) aged five and above.

– This issue has been stuck in three different Union Ministries for nearly three years.The Health Ministry is responsible for setting the criteria, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry issues the certificates and the Tribal Affairs Ministry is keen on ensuring certificates for those suffering from chronic anemia and SCD-related complications.

Duration of Disability certificates: Sickle cell disease was added to the list of disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.At that time, patients could only get disability certificates with a one-year validity.

– However, patients complained about the cumbersome procedure for renewal of the certificates. Eventually, the validity of the certificates was increased to three years.

– But now there is a demand for the need for permanent disability certificates because of the progressive nature of the disease.