Thalassemia common in Punjab and Gujarat: Dr. S.M. Bhatti

Ludhiana, May 8, 2014: CMCH, Ludhiana celebrated the 23rd international Thalassemia Day by holding a medicos voluntary blood donation camp. More than 200 units of blood were donated by medical students, interns, residents and faculty members.
The camp were inaugurated by Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director C.M.C & Hospital. Who said that CMCH has the distinction of being the only institute in this region to provide all aspects of thalassemia management from prevention to cure. He said 28 thalassemics children have undergone bone marrow transplant with a 91% success rate. It is also mandatory for all women attending the ante-natal clinics to undergo screening for thalassemia.
Dr. Jugesh Chhatwal HOD Pediatrics welcomed all the guests present on the occasion. She said that the department provides state of art, multi disciplinary care of these children.
Dr.Joseph John Head Bone marrow and stem cell transplant unit said that the best time for bone marrow transplant for these children is between 2-7 years even though age is no bar. Most of the donors so far have been HLA matched siblings however the institute has also done MUD transplants with excellent outcome.
Dr. Kanwal Masih, Medical Superintendent said this camp will increase awareness among the young generation about the importance of getting themselves screened for thalassemia trait before getting married.
Dr. S.M. Bhatti, Principal, C.M.C& H said that B- thalassemia is common in Punjab and Gujarat, therefore it is mandatory that undergraduate and postgraduate students be taught about this disease in the class and at the bedside.
Dr.Atul Goel gave the information that there are 70-75 children coming to the unit for regular treatment and there are several thalassmics who are adults, and with adequate blood transfusions and proper care are leading normal lives.
Dr.Praveen C Sobti,  Prof hemato-Oncology who has been appointed as state coordinator for TIF( Thalassemia International Federation) said that CMCH fulfills all the pre-requisites for establishing a center of excellence according to the EUCERD(European union for Centre of Excellence for rare diseases) criteria. In the near future CMC& H will be the only institute in the region to do the MRI T2* for detection of iron overload in the body.
Sangeeta Jain Secretary PTWS thanked the administration and the Dept of Pediatrics for providing thalassemia children with safe and adequate blood at highly subsidised rates.
Yogesh Gupta and Rajesh Kapoor from Zindagi Live were also present on the occasion.