May 8 is celebrated as World Thalassemia Day. The day creates awareness to honour the patients suffering from the disease and honour the efforts of doctors, scientists and medical staff to improve the lives of people suffering from this disease.
Thalassemia is a genetically inherited blood disorder wherein an inadequate amount of hemoglobin is produced by the body leading to anemia and low immunity, which makes the child fall sick often. This is often diagnosed within three months of their birth. People diagnosed with Thalassemia require regular blood transfusions apart from blood chelation therapy. The blood chelation therapy removes the heavy metals from the body. The affected person can be cured through a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant.
Dr T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that all these treatments are available free of cost at the government medical colleges of Tamilnadu. He said that the government’s step to provide free treatment for Thalassemia is in line with this year’s theme ‘Empowering live, embracing progress: Equitable and accessible Thalassemia treatment for all’. He also elucidated that the government is conducting counselling sessions throughout the state on Thalassemia, especially in tribal areas.
The Thalassaemia Welfare Society in Voluntary Health Services Hospital, Taramani, and the Thamirabharani Thalassaemia Society in Coimbatore takes care of over 300 children with Thalassaemia and provides free blood transfusion, medication, prenatal diagnosis, specialist consultation and curative bone marrow transplantation.
In an earlier interview with Adyar Times, Dr. Revathi Raj, Haematologist at VHS, informed, “Thalassaemia is a preventable disorder. Raising awareness to perform a simple blood test in pregnant mothers can prevent future births.”
On the same occasion, Dr. Mythili, Director, VHS Blood Bank stated, “Patients with Thalassemia have to be given fresh blood. VHS has the largest blood reserve in Chennai. We ensure that we don’t run out of stock. Patients inform us beforehand of their arrival and we ensure that the donated blood is tested for compatibility and ready for transfusion by the time they arrive.”
The summer months are a lean time for blood reserves because not many people are available during that time. However, VHS looks forward to the public for maintaining the reserves. For more information on Thalassemia, or to adopt a thalassemia child, or to donate blood, contact VHS at 22542202, 94441 16047.
