A FOGSI & VEHA Foundation Initiative
A national initiative integrating thalassemia and sickle cell disease screening into routine antenatal care across India.
What is Project MUKTA?
MUKTA — Mission to Unite for a Hemoglobinopathy Free India — is anchored by FOGSI and supported by VEHA Foundation. The project focuses on developing clinical guidelines, building provider capacity, and creating system-wide awareness to reduce the burden of thalassemia and sickle cell disease through early detection and informed care.
Through standardised protocols, clinician training, and data-driven feedback loops, MUKTA is building the infrastructure for a national shift — from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
About FOGSI
FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India) comprises leading Indian obstetricians and gynecologists. With over 46,000 members and 286 societies nationwide, FOGSI champions excellence in women's healthcare by setting high standards for care, promoting education and research, advocating for maternal and child health, and empowering healthcare professionals through ongoing education and development.
Pioneers of MUKTA
The clinicians and leaders driving Project MUKTA forward across India.
Dr Bhaskar Pal
President FOGSI
Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar
Director, Project MUKTA
Dr Jaydeep Tank
Director, Project MUKTA
Dr Pooja Lodha
National Convenor, Project MUKTA
Joint Project Director
Dr Manoj Pal
A medical doctor and public health specialist (MBBS, DPH) with over 25 years of experience. Co-leads FOGSI's national mission to eliminate hemoglobinopathies in India, building and amplifying strategic approaches for universal antenatal screening and prevention.
Critical Practice Points Based on FOGSI GCPR
| # | Practice Point |
|---|---|
| 01 | Hemoglobinopathy carrier screening must be offered to all previously untested women, irrespective of identifiable risk factors |
| 02 | If pre-conceptional screening has not been performed, testing should be conducted early in pregnancy, preferably at the first antenatal visit, ideally before 8 weeks of gestation |
| 03 | HPLC, the definitive technique of choice, should be strongly recommended for detecting carriers of β-Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and other hemoglobin variants |
| 04 | At-risk couples identified through antenatal screening should be provided access to prenatal diagnostic testing and preferably genetic counselling early in pregnancy |
| 05 | Red cell indices (such as MCV, MCH) and Mentzer Index alone are insufficient for definitive Thalassemia and SCD diagnosis due to low specificity, especially in populations with overlapping iron deficiency |
| 06 | HbA2 values must be interpreted in the context of iron status, as iron deficiency can lower HbA2 levels and mask the diagnosis of β-Thalassemia trait |
| 07 | Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for compound variants — such as HbE/β-Thalassemia or HbD/β-Thalassemia — when atypical peaks are observed in conjunction with elevated HbA2 |
The Four Pillars of MUKTA
Knowledge, Evidence & Advocacy
- Literature review
- KAP survey
- In-depth interviews
- White paper
- Research papers
Capacity Building
- Good Clinical Practice Recommendations (GCPR)
- Training of Trainers (ToTs)
- Clinical tools
- CPDs / CMEs
System Strengthening
- Partner with path labs
- Medical colleges
- Private facilities
- Data systems & feedback loops
Awareness & Engagement
- National & state campaigns
- FOGSI conference integration
- City convenings
- Community outreach
The Screening Journey
A simplified clinical pathway derived from the FOGSI Good Clinical Practice Recommendations (detailed above), guiding frontline clinicians through each step.
Carrier Screening
Hemoglobinopathy carrier screening offered to all previously untested women, irrespective of identifiable risk factors.
Early Testing
If pre-conceptional screening has not been performed, testing should be conducted early in pregnancy — ideally before 8 weeks.
HPLC Analysis
HPLC, the definitive technique of choice, should be strongly recommended for detecting carriers of β-Thalassemia and SCD.
Genetic Counselling
At-risk couples identified through screening should be provided access to prenatal diagnostic testing and genetic counselling.
Key Takeaway: Universal antenatal screening for thalassemia and sickle cell disease using HPLC is simple, effective, and should be practised by all.
MUKTA Goals
Target States
What Success Looks Like
Awareness
Practitioners understand the importance of thalassemia and SCD screening, are equipped with accurate knowledge, and recognise their role in ensuring safer pregnancies.
Adoption
Screening is routinely integrated into antenatal care by practitioners through standardised guidelines, clinical tools, and sustained practice.
Be part of Project MUKTA
A future where every pregnancy is screened, every carrier is counselled, and no child is born with a preventable hemoglobinopathy. That future starts with you.