Haemophilia is a rare disorder in which blood flowing from a wound doesn't coagulate, leading to unstopped bleeding. It predominantly shows up in men and afflicts 0.01 per cent of the population.
The state would provide free medicines to haemophilia patients at the government-run King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital in Mumbai to start with, additional Government Pleader G W Mattos told division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Nitin Jamdar here.
In due course, free medicines would be provided in the entire state under Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Yojana, he said.
Mattos's statement came upon a Public Interest Litigation which said there was no comprehensive policy in Maharashtra on diagnosis and treatment of haemophilia.
The petitioners, which comprised Haemophilia Society (Mumbai Chapter) and four persons afflicted with the disorder, sought free medical aid to patients, as the treatment costs from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, depending on the type.
They also said that newborns should be screened, to ensure early diagnosis.
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Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are already giving free medicines to haemophilia patients, according to the PIL.
Following Mattos's statement, the PIL was disposed of.