Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad, May 8 (IANS). On Friday, on World Thalassemia Day, information was given on the expansion of screening and advanced treatment services of the disease in Gujarat.
Ahmedabad Civil Hospital took the opportunity to showcase its integrated approach that integrates prevention, diagnosis and long-term care for patients.
Officials also reiterated that measures like pre-marital thalassemia screening, screening during pregnancy and family-based screening are necessary to prevent the disease as it is a genetic disease that can be passed down through generations.
The hospital said its efforts are in line with the global theme “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed, Supporting the Unseen”, which aims to identify the disease early and provide timely medical assistance to all patients.
Health officials said their main focus is on creating a ‘Thalassemia-free Gujarat’ through institutional care and awareness campaigns.
State Health Minister Prafulla Pansheriya said that the state government is moving forward with this goal under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
He said that the state government is moving forward with a firm intention to make ‘Thalassemia-free Gujarat’. Modern treatment and awareness campaigns being provided by institutions like Civil Hospital are making a very important contribution in this direction.
Medical experts at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital said that treatment facilities for thalassemia patients have been significantly improved, especially for children who require regular blood transfusions.
Medical Superintendent Rakesh Joshi said that the hospital, in collaboration with BJ Medical College, provides free and complete care.
He said that Civil Hospital has been at the forefront in introducing advanced services like Leukodepleted Blood Transfusion and Chelation Therapy in Gujarat.
Jolly Vaishnav, head of the children’s department, said that Thalassemia is a genetic disease related to blood, in which the body is not able to produce hemoglobin in sufficient quantity. Because of this, patients need regular blood transfusions to stay alive.
He said, “At present, the hospital provides blood transfusion to about 81 children every Tuesday and Thursday. ‘Leukodepleted packed cell volume’ is used to reduce the complications of blood transfusion, such as fever and other adverse reactions. The hospital has also enhanced its testing and long-term monitoring system.
This includes tests based on ‘High-Performance Liquid Chromatography’ (HPLC) for accurate diagnosis of patients and their families. Additionally, regular monitoring is also done through serum ferritin level, 2D echocardiography and eye and ear examination. Free medicines are being given to control iron overload caused by frequent blood transfusions.
Patients are also given counseling and guidance about bone marrow transplant, which is considered a possible treatment. Prevention efforts have been increased through targeted screening programs.
Nidhi Bhatnagar, head of the immuno hematology and blood transfusion department, said that around 5,000 healthcare workers will be screened as part of a special initiative launched to increase awareness in the community and early detection of the disease.
Officials also reiterated prevention measures, including premarital testing for thalassemia, carrier screening through HPLC, antenatal screening during pregnancy as recommended by doctors, and family screening when needed.
–IANS
ASH/VC
