The Thalassaemia Welfare Association, in collaboration with the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Dream Trust, marked World Thalassaemia Day with a vital awareness event at VHS Multi-Speciality Hospital, Taramani. The event aimed to educate the public about Thalassaemia, a serious genetic blood disorder, and highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and preventive measures.
Dr. Krishnamurti Lakshmanan, the chief guest, reinforced the importance of understanding this inherited condition. Thalassaemia affects red blood cells’ ability to produce sufficient haemoglobin, leading to chronic anaemia. Carriers of the Thalassaemia trait, often asymptomatic, carry a 25% chance of passing the severe form, Thalassaemia Major, to their children. In India, with a 3.9% trait prevalence, there are an estimated 40 million carriers and nearly 10,000 new cases annually.
Dr. Revathi Raj, President of the Thalassaemia Welfare Association and Pediatric Haematologist at Apollo Hospitals Cancer Centre, emphasised, “Thalassaemia is more than a health challenge—it’s a social responsibility. We must collectively raise awareness and provide support to those affected.”
The event included expert-led sessions on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, as well as first-hand accounts from Thalassaemia patients. VHS Blood Centre currently supports transfusions for these patients, and the organisers made a heartfelt appeal for more voluntary blood donors to help ensure continued care, especially during times of shortage.
