RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh will soon have a national-level research centre for sickle cell anaemia disease, the CM said on Sunday.

He virtually inaugurated sickle cell management centres in medical college hospitals (MCHs) and district hospitals in 28 districts of the state, in a function held at his official residence.

Sickle cell management centres, which are set up in 24 district hospitals and nine MCHs, will provide free screening, treatment and consultation for people suffering from the disease, an official said.

Interacting with the media, “Sickle cell is a serious genetic disease and to protect future generations from it, creating awareness about it is the most important thing. Early diagnosis of sickle cell disease and better medications can reduce its effects and enhance the life span of patients,” Baghel said.

The cell management centres will also have facilities for conducting solubility test, electrophoresis, and new test procedure called point-of-care to diagnose the disease.