More awareness needed on genetic blood disorders: A.P. Health Minister

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav during the State-level training programme on hemoglobinopathies and hemophilia, in Vijayawada, on Monday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI

There is a need to raise awareness among the public about genetic disorders such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and hemophilia, all of which require continuous medication, said Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Y. Satya Kumar Yadav.

Participating as the chief guest in the two-day training programme on ‘Advance Modalities in Diagnosis and Treatment in Blood Disorders’, being organised by the National Health Mission Blood Cell and Hemophilia Society, in Vijayawada on Monday, the Minister said that awareness will lead to earlier detection of these genetic disorders, which in turn, ensures timely treatment and fewer complications.

In Andhra Pradesh, while there are 1,900 people suffering from hemophilia, people affected with thalassemia and sickle cell anemia number around 2,100 each. Since these disorders are genetic, medicines have to be taken continuously, the Minister said.

He added that the State government is ensuring that the people suffering from these disorders are receiving timely blood transfusions. The five Integrated Centres for Hemoglobinopathy and Hemophilia (ICHH) in the State help in early diagnosis of the disorder and then, the government offers medicines and treatment to the people free of charge, the Minister said, adding that the patients also receive ₹10,000 as pension. The Minister said the government is trying to make injections given to hemophilia patients cheaper.

Later, providing details about screening for sickle cell anemia in tribal areas where the disease rate is high due to prevalence of consanguineous marriages, Mr. Satya Kumar Yadav said while there are 19 lakh population aged below 40 in tribal areas of the State, screening for sickle cell anemia has been conducted for more than 10 lakh people. Screening for the remaining would be completed soon, he added.

Out of those who were screened, while 2,100 were found to be with sickle cell anemia, more than 19,000 of them were identified as carriers of the disorder. While the carriers do not suffer from the condition, they can still pass on the genes that causes the disease to their children.

The Minister, expressing concern over the tardiness of the screening process, said the health staff should complete the process quickly so that people can be put on treatments immediately. The nodal officers should monitor the condition of people with thalassemia and hemophilia continuously to ensure that there is no bleeding.

He hoped that the two-day training programme would increase awareness among the health staff about the disorders. Doctors and experts discussed the subject at length on the first day of the programme. Nodal officers and health staff were present.