“TODAY THALASSEMIA is the most common genetic disorder and one out of 25 people is suffering from this diseases in India”, said Prof VP Singh, former director of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, here on Sunday.
Addressing an awareness programme being organised by Varanasi Region Thalassemia Welfare Society to mark the International Thalassemia Day at Anandmayee Hospital in Shivala, he said that the highest number of thalassemia carriers were estimated to be in India.
Prof Singh said that around 15,000 kids with thalassemic disorder were born across the country (highest number of thalassemic births across the world per year) and the number of such births was on the rise due to lack of awareness about thalassemia among the common people. He said that thalassemia had been ranked second to AIDS by the World Health Organisation.
He said that since thalassemia was a genetic disorder, married couples should get their blood tested before planning a baby to avoid occurrence of this disease in their kids.
He informed that ‘bone marrow transplantation’ was the only cure of this disease. “But it costs Rs 12 to 15 lakh for the treatment and success ratio is only one per cent, therefore it is wise to avoid occurrence of thalassemia at an early stage”, he suggested.
{{/usCountry}}He informed that ‘bone marrow transplantation’ was the only cure of this disease. “But it costs Rs 12 to 15 lakh for the treatment and success ratio is only one per cent, therefore it is wise to avoid occurrence of thalassemia at an early stage”, he suggested.
{{/usCountry}}Prof Singh stressed the need for preventive measures as the treatment of thalassemia was very expensive (around Rs 15 thousands per month) and was unaffordable for the common man. He also called upon a cross-section of the society to extend their support to check the spread of this disease.
Patron of Care Age Foundation, Sri Ram Bahadur Singh welcomed the guests and patients while Ashutosh Singh conducted the programme.
Dr Sangeeta Sinha proposed the vote of thanks. Patron of the Society Geeta Bhargava, Dr Ashok Singh and Ashok Talreja were among other prominent personalities who were present on the occasion.