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This story is from February 17, 2006
Straight Answers
Sarla Bhagchandani, Social counsellor, on the need for creating awareness about thalassaemia.
Sarla Bhagchandani, Social counsellor, on the need for creating awareness about thalassaemia.
How serious is the problem of thalassaemia in the country?
Thalassaemia is fast turning out to be a serious health problem. As of now approximately there are 1.5 lakh people who are affected and the number of patients being added to this every year is approximately 10,000.
Also the problem lies in the increasing misconceptions about this blood disorder.
Which segment of the society is most affected by this?
In Gujarat, communities like Kutchi, Lohanas, Sindhis and such have seen more cases of thalassaemia.
What are the common misconceptions that people hold about this blood disorder?
There are numerous misconceptions about this disorder among people. To begin with most people take this disorder as a social stigma.
For example parents of thalassaemia minor girls tend to hide this and in doing so get them married to boys who might be thalassaemia minor themselves. Thus increasing the chances of them having children who may be afflicted with thalassaemia major.
What can people do to help in this endeavour?
At the government level, people should be encouraged to get blood tests done to avoid the disorder. Doctors, especially gynaecologists should encourage couples to go for blood tests to prevent a child with a thalassaemia major condition being born.
Do we have enough resources to deal with the disorder?
There aren't any huge costs involved with getting the blood tests done. But for a thalassaemia major child, it can be a huge economic and emotional burden on the parents. The costs of blood transfusion per month can come up to Rs 10,000 per month.
How serious is the problem of thalassaemia in the country?
Thalassaemia is fast turning out to be a serious health problem. As of now approximately there are 1.5 lakh people who are affected and the number of patients being added to this every year is approximately 10,000.
Which segment of the society is most affected by this?
There is no particular segment of the society which is most affected by this. However, there are certain communities which have been reported to have higher incidences of this disorder.
In Gujarat, communities like Kutchi, Lohanas, Sindhis and such have seen more cases of thalassaemia.
What are the common misconceptions that people hold about this blood disorder?
There are numerous misconceptions about this disorder among people. To begin with most people take this disorder as a social stigma.
For example parents of thalassaemia minor girls tend to hide this and in doing so get them married to boys who might be thalassaemia minor themselves. Thus increasing the chances of them having children who may be afflicted with thalassaemia major.
What can people do to help in this endeavour?
At the government level, people should be encouraged to get blood tests done to avoid the disorder. Doctors, especially gynaecologists should encourage couples to go for blood tests to prevent a child with a thalassaemia major condition being born.
Do we have enough resources to deal with the disorder?
There aren't any huge costs involved with getting the blood tests done. But for a thalassaemia major child, it can be a huge economic and emotional burden on the parents. The costs of blood transfusion per month can come up to Rs 10,000 per month.
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