Thalassaemia

International Thalassaemia Day is celebrated every year on 8th May to raise awareness about thalassaemia. It is a blood disorder which is ingrained from parents through genes. It happens when genes that are responsible for producing haemoglobin are damaged or absent.

There are two types of thalassaemia — alpha and beta. They may be found in two forms-

• Thalassaemia major: In this type, faulty genes are received from both parents. Symptoms are generally seen by the age of two.
• Thalassaemia minor: They are only carriers of the disease. Mostly they don’t have symptoms and usually live healthy lives.

Diagnosis of thalassaemia can be done through blood tests. It can be treated with blood transfusions and chelation therapy.

Thalassaemia is no longer a deadly disease; evidence indicates that persons with thalassaemia can lead a long and productive life, and can be treated with proper care and treatment.

Activities related to thalassaemia undertaken in India:

• Early detection and treatment of children suffering from genetic disorders including thalassaemia is being provided by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakrama (RBSK) under National Health Mission.
• Medical checkup facilities before marriage are being made available at government health centres.
• Patients are provided free blood as directed by the national blood transfusion council under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).
• Disability due to thalassaemia is included in “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill — 2016” by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
• Several non-governmental organizations (NGO) like ‘Thalassemics India’ are working to deal with Thalassaemia in India by launching various projects like “Helping Hands” etc.