Latest news with #ThalassemiaMajor
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
TSCS, Fernandez Hospital team up for prenatal testing
The Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) has partnered with Fernandez Hospital to launch prenatal diagnostic testing for couples identified as carriers of Thalassemia or Sickle Cell Anaemia. The testing will be offered at the Prenatal Diagnostic Centre at Kamala Hospital and Research Centre, a unit of TSCS in Hyderabad. This initiative is part of TSCS's broader goal to eliminate births of children with Thalassemia Major and Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2035. The society's ongoing antenatal screening programme identifies carrier couples early in pregnancy. If both partners are carriers, there is a 25% risk in each pregnancy that their child will be affected. The new facility will allow for early prenatal diagnostic testing in such cases, enabling timely decisions for at-risk families, said a release.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Nagpur doctors unite to raise awareness on thalassemia
1 2 3 Nagpur: An open forum was held on World Thalassemia Day. With a mission to unite communities and prioritise patients, leading city doctors came together to raise awareness about the genetic blood disorder that continues to affect thousands of children across Central Academy of Paediatrics (AOP) Nagpur, in collaboration with the Thalassaemia & Sickle Cell Centre and Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagpur, organised a public forum on the theme 'Together for Thalassemia – Uniting Communities, Prioritising Patients' at IMA event witnessed active participation from medical professionals and families of patients. Among the dignitaries present were Dr Uday Bodhankar, patron of AOP Nagpur, Dr Vinky Rughwani, director of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Centre, Dr Rajesh Sawarbandhe, president of IMA Nagpur, Dr Shilpa Hazare, president of AOP Nagpur, and Dr Kailash Vaidya, secretary, AOP Nagpur." Thalassemia Major is preventable. A simple blood test before marriage can stop this suffering before it begins," emphasised Dr Vinky Rughwani, urging the govt to launch a Thalassemia Mission on the lines of the Sickle Cell Mission. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far "While we facilitated over 50 free bone marrow transplants and tested over 55,000 youths, our goal is to ensure no child is ever born with this condition," he Rughwani also highlighted a major policy breakthrough — a 5% reservation in education now available to Thalassemia and Sickle Cell patients after these disorders were recognised as disabilities. Dr Shilpa Hazare, president of AOP Nagpur, said, "As paediatricians, we strongly believe that awareness must begin early. If every school-going child is educated about genetic conditions like thalassemia, we can build a generation that makes informed marital and reproductive choices."Veteran paediatrician Dr Uday Bodhankar stressed the need for mandatory premarital screening and urged the govt to incorporate Thalassemia education into school curricula. "This is not just a medical issue — it's a social one. A few moments of testing can save families from decades of pain," he experts at the forum explained how Thalassemia Major requires lifelong blood transfusions, sometimes up to four units a month, along with expensive medication. While a bone marrow transplant remains the only curative option, its high cost (Rs15 lakh or more) keeps it out of reach for forum wasn't just about facts and figures — it had its emotional moments too. Several children battling thalassemia attended the event, their bright eyes and cheerful smiles lighting up the thalassemia patients are getting?* 5% educational reservation* Genetic Digital Blood Match App* Support for screening and counselling* Free blood transfusions and medicines* Disability certificates and benefits* Bone Marrow Transplant Surgery support
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.
