A Week in Kasurdi – Lessons in Health and Humanity (SIMPLe Study)

Before joining the SMILE study (Sickle cell Morbidity evaluation) at AFMC, I thought I understood what “inherited disorders” meant. But it took one story—Ruhi’s story—to remind me how genetics can shape destinies, and how hope can reshape them.

Ruhi was born in a tribal community with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). What started with joyful cries soon turned into silent suffering—repeated hospitalizations, weakness, and breathlessness. Her parents, like many others in their village, had no idea what caused this “curse” that claimed so many children. And they weren't alone—millions of tribal families across India carry the burden of this genetic disorder silently.

Our study aimed to break that silence.

In just two days in Shahada, Nandurbar, our team of medical cadets, residents, and faculty screened 159 patients with SCD, looking beyond routine symptoms into areas that are rarely assessed in community settings—splenomegaly, endocrinopathies, delayed puberty, cognitive decline, and even retinal changes.

But SMILE was more than numbers. It was about solutions. We advocated for myth-busting campaigns, school water-bell systems to prevent dehydration crises, mobile clinics, and training ASHA workers to detect early symptoms.

Being part of SMILE didn’t just make me a better student—it made me a better human. It showed me the power of medical outreach, the urgency of equitable healthcare, and how a group of determined students can light a spark of hope in communities long left in the shadows.

I now believe that genetics may write the first chapter of a person’s life—but with the right care, knowledge, and compassion, we can help rewrite the rest.