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Time of India
31-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bone marrow transplant comes under Swasthya Sathi, more patients to benefit
Kolkata: The state has included bone marrow transplant in its universal health scheme, Swasthya Sathi, eliciting hope for more patients getting the opportunity to undergo the procedure. Nine institutes in Bengal conduct the procedure, two of them govt facilities. NRS Medical College was the first hospital in eastern India to start bone marrow transfusion in 2009, followed by the Institute of Haematology & Transfusion Medicine at MCH in 2011. Despite a govt hospital being the first to launch the procedure in the eastern region, private facilities, such as Tata Medical Centre Kolkata, which started it in 2011, have carried out a higher number of cases than that at the two govt hospitals combined. One of the main reasons behind this gap was finance, said a health department official. Even if the procedure was free at govt hospitals, many crucial tests were not available there, forcing patients to go to private labs for the investigations, said the health department official, adding it was a deterrent for patients who could not afford the cost. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata "The proposal to include bone marrow transfer under Swasthya Sathi came from NRS. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The two govt hospitals can carry it out under Swasthya Sathi," said a health official. "Under Swasthya Sathi, we are ready to serve more patients. At our hospital, we have at least 60 patients lined up for it," said professor Tuphan Kanti Dolai, head of haematology department at NRS, who will be the organising chairperson of Eastern India Blood Marrow & Cellular Therapy meet 2025 to start on Friday. The procedure costs Rs 8 lakh to Rs 20 lakh at a private hospital. Bringing the cost down will be discussed at the two-day EIBMCT meet. "Aside from the transfusion's one-time high cost, it is the most cost-efficient treatment for blood disorders. In thalassaemia, its success rate as a curative option is 90% if held by seven years of age," said NRS haematology professor Rajib De, organising secretary of the EIBMCT meet.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Thalassemia burden in West Bengal higher than national average
On World Thalassemia Day, experts in West Bengal highlighted the alarming prevalence of Thalassemia in the State, noting that it exceeds the national average. According to the West Bengal Health Department, 6% to 10% of the state's population carries the disease, compared to the national average of 3% to 4%, as per 2011 Census data. Beta Thalassemia and sickle cell disorders continue to be major health challenges in India, with Thalassemia being one of the most common inherited blood disorders. The condition results in a reduced level of haemoglobin in the body, impairing the transport of oxygen in the blood. It is among the most common single-gene disorders worldwide. The National Health Mission report of 2016 estimates that approximately 10,000 to 15,000 babies with Thalassemia Major are born each year in India. Studies have also pointed out that certain communities, including Bengalis, Sindhis, Punjabis, and Gujaratis, exhibit higher carrier frequencies. In West Bengal, the burden of Thalassemia is exacerbated by several factors, including a lack of awareness and the prevalence of intra-community marriages. 'We have over 18,000 blood transfusion-dependent patients in the state. The patient positivity rate stands at 2.5%,' a source in the West Bengal Health Department told The Hindu. To mark World Thalassemia Day on May 8, awareness programs were organized across the state to educate the public. A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research found that many people remain unaware of Thalassemia's inheritance patterns. Inadequate screening and a lack of education on the disease have been major contributors to its spread. West Bengal currently has 36 Thalassemia Control Units (TCUs) across various districts, which are actively screening populations, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy and among adolescents. The goal is to ensure that future generations are free of Thalassemia. 'As there is no law in India regarding this, we cannot prevent marriages. The best we can do is raise awareness. If two carriers marry, the likelihood of having a child with Thalassemia is high, which is why screening during the first trimester is crucial,' said the health department source. To further raise awareness, Prof. Rajib De, Clinical Lead Hematology at Narayana Health, Kolkata, urged parents to focus on a balanced diet low in iron, timely vaccinations, and maintaining proper hygiene to avoid infections. He emphasized the importance of mental health support for children with Thalassemia, given the severity of the condition. 'In regions with such high prevalence, early screening, informed parenting, and consistent care can make a significant difference,' Prof. De said. Without proper care, children with Thalassemia may not live beyond 30 years of age. Experts stress that screening both parents for Thalassemia before planning a child is crucial to preventing the condition and improving long-term outcomes.
