Chhota Udepur, Sept. 18 -- Gujarat is providing free medical treatment and financial assistance to sickle cell patients, particularly in tribal areas, with government health facilities offering screening, medicines and continued care.

Over the past four years, around 14,925 sickle cell patients have received more than Rs 14 crore in assistance for treatment, medicines and blood transfusions, according to the state government.

At tribal health centres, patients are provided regular screening, medicines and free treatment as part of efforts to ensure early diagnosis and continued management of the disease.

Nehal Rathwa, a sickle cell patient, said timely access to medicines had helped improve his condition.

"I have sickle cell disease. ...