Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana”

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has launched the second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana” on October 14, 2020. The scheme has been launched  for the underprivileged Thalassemic patients.

Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana

This scheme was launched in 2017. It is a Coal India CSR funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) program. The programme is aimed at providing a one-time cure opportunity for Haemoglobinopathies like Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease for patients who have a matched family donor. This initiative of CSR has targeted to provide financial assistance to 200 patients by providing a package cost of Rs. 10 lakhs per HSCT.

Thalassemia cases

Data on Haemoglobinopathies show there are 2.9-4.6% cases of ?-Thalassemia while there are 40% for sickle cell anaemia mostly among the tribal population. Haemoglobin variants like HBE in eastern India is as common as 3-50% and thus, it calls for more attention to these diseases.

Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an blood disorder that causes to have less hemoglobin than normal in the body.  Thus, it reduces the ability of the red blood cell to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can also cause anemia. Common symptoms of Thalassemia include Fatigue, Weakness, Pale or yellowish skin, Facial bone deformities, Slow growth, Abdominal swelling and Dark urine.