DELHI: Timely detection and prevention are the most effective strategies to tackle thalassemia, said Apurva Chandra, secretary to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
At an event organised to mark International Thalassemia Day here on Wednesday, he said only by preventing it at the right time can the burden of this disease be curtailed.
There are almost one lakh Thalassemia patients in the country, with approximately 10,000 new cases reported each year, he said, emphasizing the urgency of proactive intervention aided by timely detection through screening.
Highlighting the critical need for wide awareness around the subject, he said many people are still not aware of this disease and how it can be prevented. It is imperative that all stakeholders in this arena collaborate on a nationwide campaign to enhance awareness of the disease.
As a significant step in this direction, he launched a video made in collaboration with the Indian Association of Pediatrics and Thalassemics India to promote effective prevention methods and optimal treatment for thalassemia.
The Union Health Secretary also advocated for the inclusion of compulsory thalassemia testing in the existing reproductive and child health (RCH) programmes under the National Health Mission (NHM) as a means to curtail the prevalence of the disease. Some states have included this in their public health programmes and other states will be urged to include and expand screening and testing for thalassemia, he said.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes a body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Celebrated every year, International Thalassemia Day serves as a crucial platform to emphasize the importance of disease prevention, raise awareness, sensitize stakeholders, promote early detection, and ensure quality care for those affected by thalassemia. This year’s theme, “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All,” encapsulates the collective mission toward universal access to comprehensive Thalassemia care.
Aradhana Patnaik, AS&MD of NHM, Dr G V Basavaraja, president of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Shobha Tuli, secretary of Thalassemics India, Dr Manas Kalra, honorary secretary of PHO Chapter of IAP and other senior officials from Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.
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