Thalassemia:Five more kids sent to Vellore

Patna: The Bihar govt has sent a new batch of five children suffering from thalassemia major to Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, for free bone marrow transplants (BMT) under the Mukhyamantri Baal Thalassemia Yojana.

This is the eighth batch of beneficiaries sent under the scheme. Health minister Nishant Kumar said 43 children had already undergone life-saving transplants through seven earlier batches.

Nishant said the govt was committed to providing quality healthcare and a healthy future to children suffering from serious and rare diseases.

He said the Mukhyamantri Baal Thalassemia Yojana received cabinet approval on Aug 6, 2024, under the leadership of then NDA chief minister Nitish Kumar. The scheme aims to provide permanent treatment to children affected by thalassemia.

The minister said the state was also working extensively for the treatment and care of patients suffering from genetic disorders such as thalassemia, haemophilia and sickle cell anaemia. Six integrated day-care centres have been established to provide testing, blood transfusions, iron-chelating medicines and anti-haemophilic factor treatment.

Nishant said the Bihar govt has signed an MoU with CMC Vellore for eligible children below 12 years of age. Children whose siblings have matching HLA profiles undergo free bone marrow transplants at the institution.

The state spends around Rs 15 lakh per patient, covering treatment, travel, accommodation, food and other essential expenses for patients, donors and guardians.