New Delhi|HL India has over one lakh Thalassemia patients and over 42 million thalassemia carriers said Dr. Achla Batra who recently organised a thalassemia awareness Walkathon at Central park in Delhi.
The peace walk was organised by The National Association of Reproductive and Child Health (NARCHI) Delhi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung hospital, Delhi for thalassemia awareness to create awareness about this genetic disorder.
According to NARCHI Delhi branch President Dr Achla Batra, “Thalassemia is completely preventable. It only calls for awareness about the disease in the public, especially youngsters. In developing nation like India, it bears enormous, psychological, social, and financial, burden on the patient and family. Prevention is the first step towards Thalassemia-free nation.
Awareness is the key for eliminating thalassemia. This walkathon is a small step towards the goal of creating universal awareness” Dr.Batra added.
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder in which the body creates an abnormal form of haemoglobin. The disorder results in the excessive destruction of red blood cells, which makes the affected person dependent on blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks for survival. India has over one lakh thalassemia patients and over 42 million thalassemia carriers. People with beta thalassemia trait usually experience no health problem other than mild anemia. However, marriage between two such individuals can result in a child being born with thalassemia major. However, a premarital carrier test or prenatal test during pregnancy can prevent the birth of a child suffering from thalassemia major.
According to Dr Narender Malhotra,President Indian society forprenatal diagnosis and therapy (ISPAT) “Creating public awareness is very essential for preventing this disorder.Screening Tests and pre-natal counselling about the potential complications will be very useful. Babies should be tested at birth for such genetic problem.”
Dr Pratima Mittal,Vice President FOGSI, said, “Ideally, people should go for pre-marital counselling and checkup along with horoscope matching and get themselves checked for thalassemia before marriage to ensure a better future by preventing such genetic diseases.”
Dr Prem Sharma from (MOH and Director Health,MCD) was the guest of honour. Noted personalities including Dr Vinita Srivastava (National Senior Consultant and Co-ordinator Blood Cell,Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), Mrs Shobha Tuli(Secretary,Thalassemics India ),(Dr Pratima Mittal(vice president,FOGSI),Dr Dr Achla Batra(President NARCHI Delhi),Dr Monika Gupta(Secretary NARCHI Delhi),Dr Divya Pandey (joint secretary) and Dr Archana Kumari(Joint Secretary) participated in the walk.
Other organisations participating in the event represented by Dr Narender Malhotra(ISPAT president), Mrs Priyanka Chaudhary Raina(social activist and founder of Gracia Raina foundation) ,Dr Sharda Jain(Delhi Gyne Forum),Dr Anita Sabharwal(Secretary FOGSD) and Dr Narinder Kaur(President Elite Club of west Delhi), Dr Ragini Aggarwal(Vice President Elect,FOGSI),Dr Shivani Aggarwal(Senior Gynecologist,Kasturba Hospital),Dr Jayshree Sunder(HOD and Senior Gynecologist,Rainbow Hospital),Members of Inner Wheel Rotary Club,Mrs Radha Rani(Principal,Nursing College,Safdarjung Hospital) along with nursing students of Safdarjung and Kasturba Hospital were also present in the event.
