Port Blair, Aug 7: The A & N Regional Centre of Anthropological Survey of India will celebrate International Day of World’s Indigenous People with special events on Aug 9, 2015 on the theme ‘ensuring Indigenous peoples’ health and well-being’. The Centre will also organize a follow-up health awareness camp among the Ranchi communities of Jarawa creek (Nayagarh) of Baratang Island. The ASI had conducted a comprehensive health check-up among the Ranchi community of Baratang Island in December 2014 in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration, specifically to screen thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and G6PD deficiency and other genetic abnormalities. The 367 blood samples collected were clinically analysed and found that 5% of them are carriers of beta thalassemia and 6.7% of sickle cell anemia traits.
Experts on the subject will deliver lectures on cares to be taken to avoid of transmitting these genetic abnormalities to future generation. Based on the data generated in the health camp, the ASI will prepare ‘Genetic Cards’ for future reference. A photographic exhibition on ‘Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Yester years and Today’ will b e held from Aug 9 to 11, 2015 at Baratang, Middle Andaman as part of the observance.
