There is strong need to start universal screening program all across India for Thalassemia” – Shri Om Birla, Speaker Lok Sabha

“As guided by our Prime Minister we are soon going to start a color card system to identify all genetically linked diseases so that they can be easily identified. Government will start national mission to eradicate Thalassemia like sickle cell anemia. We will eradicate these diseases in 25 years from India.” – Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs.

“Not a single Thalassemic Child born at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital since 2006, when we started hospital screening program”- Dr Anupam Sachdev, Pediatric Hematology, SGRH

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in association with Thalassemics India today organised a function on World Thalassemia day on 9th May. A screening camp was held during the function with point of care testing for carrier detection. The point of care testing equipment first made in India was also launched in the function. On this occasion, Shri Om Birla ji Honorable Speaker of Lok Sabha who was the chief guest and Shri Arjun Munda ji who was the Guest of Honor interacted with Thalassemic children and distributed gifts, medicines and filters to them

Speaking on the occasion Shri Om Birlaji reiterated the strong need to prevent thalassemia by National screening and assured his help in implementing the program. He also urged that safe blood be provided for these multi- transfused patients. He stressed the need for facilities to be available in all parts of the country. I will appeal to all members of parliament to start Thalassemia screening program in their respective constituencies so that it can be eradicated from India as soon as possible. I will also recommend to Government of India to start Thalassemia testing free of cost.

Shri Arjun Munda stressed the need for prevention and screening on a national mission mode as was being done for Sickle cell anemia in tribal areas. We need to take care of these diseases and eradicate them in the next 25 years. As guided by our Prime Minister we are soon going to start a color card system to identify all genetically linked diseases so that they can be easily identified.

Dr Anupam Sachdeva, Head Pediatric Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant, since 2006 at sir ganga ram hospital  all pregnancies are being screened for Thalassemia and we are proud to say that till date we have screened over 50000 pregnancies and no Thalassemic child has been born since that time.

Dr VK Khanna, Chairman, Department of Pediatrics reiterated that treatment for thalassemics is available in the form of Bone and stem cell transplant in our institution and we have done nearly 200 transplants but the need of the hour is to prevent the disease

Dr Ajay Swaroop, Chairman, Board of Management also pointed out that all facilities for treatment of Thalassemia are available in our hospital and we are ready to train doctors and nurses from other institutions.