The Ahmedabad Civil Hospital showcased its comprehensive approach to thalassaemia care on World Thalassaemia Day. Emphasizing prevention, diagnosis, and long-term treatment, the hospital aligns with the global theme “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.” Efforts in Gujarat aim to create a Thalassaemia-free state through enhanced care and awareness initiatives.
State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya affirmed the government’s commitment to a Thalassaemia-free Gujarat. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s guidance, initiatives like those at Civil Hospital play a crucial role. The hospital, in collaboration with B.J. Medical College, offers free, advanced care for thalassaemia patients, especially children requiring regular transfusions.
Medical experts at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital highlighted the strengthened treatment facilities for thalassaemia patients. Innovative services like leukodepleted blood transfusion and chelation therapy are now available. Thalassaemia, a hereditary blood disorder necessitating regular transfusions, affects around 81 children who receive services at the hospital every week.
The hospital’s diagnostic and monitoring framework has expanded, incorporating advanced testing methods like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). This ensures accurate diagnosis and routine monitoring through various assessments. Additionally, free medicines to manage iron overload and counseling on potential curative options like bone marrow transplants are provided to patients.
Preventive efforts have been intensified through targeted screening programs and initiatives to raise awareness and promote early detection. Healthcare workers are being screened to enhance community awareness. Emphasizing the importance of early testing, officials underscored the need for thalassaemia screening before marriage, carrier screening, antenatal screening, and family screening as preventive measures against this genetic disorder.
