Sluggish economic activity has affected thalassaemia campaign in West Bengal, where about 2,500 children suffering from the genetic disorder are born every year.
"Till last year we used to get many sponsors without whose help we cannot make people aware about this recessive generic disease. But this year, many of them have either sought more time or backed out citing funds crunch. They say there is sluggish economic activity so we need to wait," spokesperson of Thalassaemia Society of Kolkata said.
"We need sustained campaign to prevent spread of the generic disease but the going has become tough," the spokesperson said at a function held on the occasion of Thalassaemia Day.
According to Thalassaemia International Federation, a body that monitors the genetic disease across the globe, West Bengal accounts for about one third of the total number of children affected it in the country.
A film 'Nadir Naam Debjani (A River Named Debjani)' revolving round the life and struggle of a thalassemic patient was screened on the occasion.
