Delhi hospitals to sensitise staff, public on thalassaemia

Delhi government has directed all its hospitals and health centres to create sensitisation and trainings for staff and public regarding Thalassaemia so as to prevent thalassaemia cases in the national capital.
On the occasion of International Thalassaemia Day that will be observed across the world tomorrow, Delhi government has proposed to observe the day in an innovative manner to further strengthen its Thalassaemia Control Programme.
"All Delhi government hospitals and health centers have been communicated to create awareness, sensitisation and trainings for public and staff as a part of which programmes will held for 10 to 15 days.
"The diagnostic and treatment facilities for thalassemia are available with GTB Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, BSA Hospital and DDU Hospital free of cost. The remaining hospitals have been communicated to coordinate with these hospitals for the diagnosis of thalassemia trait after usual screening procedures," said Dr S K Arora, Additional Director at Health department of Delhi government.

Thalassaemia is a major genetic disorder, passed from parents to children. Thalassaemia carrier are common in general population. According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study 1 out of every 18 is a thalassemia carrier in Delhi.
"Around 200 births of thalassaemia major takes places every year in Delhi. These patients require repeated and regular blood transfusion (every two to four weeks) and iron chelation therapy for survival which can only extend upto 30 yrs on average at the most," said Dr Arora.
The average cost of treatment per patient is Rs 50,000-Rs 2,00,000 per year which is bound to increase further with inflation. A thalassaemic child on an average requires 30 units of blood every year.

Prevention of the birth of even 1 thalassemia major child results in saving 1.5 crore and 1000 units of blood considering life expectancy at around 30 years, Dr Arora added.