Bhubaneswar, Dec. 17: Two to five per cent of the population in the state is affected by the sickle cell diseases, said doctors.

Sickle cell disease is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from one's parents. It results in an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin found in red blood cells. An affected person can develop acute pain, anaemia, bacterial infections as well as stroke.

The doctors also said a sizeable number of children was dying because of lack of awareness about medical facilities available to treat the disease in the state.

The Indian Council of Medical Research's estimates, 20 per cent of children with sickle cell disease in the country die before two years of age and 30 per cent of children with the same disease among the tribal populace die before reaching adulthood.

To create awareness about the disease, the 3rd Global Congress on sickle cell disease and bone marrow transplantation is going to be held in Bhubaneswar from February 11 to 24 next year. More than 1,000 delegates from various parts of the country and abroad will take part in the conference.

Clinical haematology head of the SCB Medical College and Hospital R.K. Jena said: "Of the 12,000 blood samples examined at SCB, more than 50 per cent have been found to be affected with the sickle cell diseases."

Jena is also organising secretary of the Global Sickle Cell Disease Network. He said: "Though the highest number of sickle cell disease cases have been reported from west Odisha, it has also spread to other parts of the state. A sizeable population in coastal Odisha has also been hit by the disease."

Citing reasons for its spread, he said: "People have started migrating from their native places and increasing cases of intra-caste marriages are taking place. This is one of the reasons for the spread of the disease. But, it can be avoided if people go for blood examination before tying the knot."

The doctor said: "The myth that those who are affected with the disease cannot marry and have a short life is not true. With proper care, one can lead a comfortable life."

Subas Chandra Biswal, who suffers from sickle cell disease, said: "I now lead a normal life. But, because of the social stigma attached to it, I am not able to marry."