Health experts and advocacy groups have lauded the decision of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chief to provide free blood transfusion therapy to Thalassemia patients. Thalassemia, a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin, is a significant health challenge in India, where the country struggles with a substantial burden of this condition due to the largest population of Thalassemia Major children and carriers of the beta thalassemia trait.
NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo has addressed a letter to the principal secretaries of the health department of all states and union territories, urging them to issue circulars to hospitals for free blood transfusions for Thalassemia patients. Dr. Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director and Chief of BMT at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, praised the move, stating, “It is a welcome move that blood transfusion should be given free to Thalassemia patients, which will go a long way in making the lives of the patients easy.”
The Union health ministry had previously mandated that all blood centres, government-supported and non-government-supported, provide blood/blood components free of cost to Thalassemia patients. Thalassemia Patient Advocacy Group member secretary Anubha Taneja Mukherjee welcomed the initiative but emphasized the need to monitor the details and extent of the free therapy, including chelation and other investigations. This move is expected to benefit Thalassemia patients, particularly in rural areas where access to safe and free blood has been a challenge.
This new development is a positive step towards easing the burden on families with Thalassemia patients, ensuring that they have access to essential treatment without financial strain. The implementation and extent of the free therapy for Thalassemia patients will be crucial in ensuring that the intended benefits reach those in need, especially in rural areas where access to treatment may be limited.
