Bhubaneswar, Oct. 23 -- Odisha on Thursday became the first state in the country to introduce a dedicated protocol for pregnant women suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD). The move aims to reduce health risks for expectant mothers and improve pregnancy outcomes.

The protocol was unveiled at a state-level workshop on "Sickle Cell Disease during Pregnancy" in Bhubaneswar. It was jointly organised by the National Health Mission (NHM), the Directorate of Blood Safety and UNICEF Odisha.

Titled Protocol for Management of Pregnancy with Sickle Cell Disease, the guidelines were developed with inputs from experts at state medical colleges, NHM programme divisions, the health directorate and UNICEF. They outline clinical procedures and the re...