Bengaluru: Free, subsidized treatment saves lives of 50 Thalassemic children
What's the story
The lives of as many as 50 children suffering from Thalassemia have been saved by two Bengaluru-based NGOs and a hospital.
The People Tree Hospital, Sankalp India Foundation, and Cure2Children provided the treatment to the patients at a subsidized cost and also for free in some cases.
They saved the 50 children through successful bone marrow transplants over the past two years.
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About
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, leads to the generation of an abnormal form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin protein molecule in red blood cells.
It leads to an excessive destruction of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world.
According to estimations, 30 million people in our country are affected by the disorder from birth.
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Thalassemia requires blood transfusion almost every month
People Tree Hospitals' Lead Pediatrician, Dr. Supraja Chaandrashekar, stated: "Thalassemia is a disease that requires a child to take blood transfusion almost every month. Sadly, this repeated blood transfusion results in several complications, besides putting the child at risk of contracting other deadly infections."
BMTs
Bone marrow transplant is a miraculous solution: Dr. Supraja
Dr. Supraja Chandrashekar said that BMT (bone marrow transplant) is a better solution as it does not lead to complications, unlike the blood transfusion method.
In a bone marrow or cord blood transplant, the healthy blood-forming cells entirely replace the unhealthy ones.
She also added that success rates of BMTs are very low in India due to inadequate awareness.
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Dr. Supraja Chandrashekar's statement
Dr. Supraja stated: "A lot of effort goes into educating the public as well as preparing these children for receiving the transplant. Once the kids are ready, they come to our hospital and get the transplant done at free of cost or a subsidized cost."