Telangana sets sights on becoming India’s first thalassemia-free State by 2035

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha on Sunday (January 11) called for collective action to make Telangana the country’s first thalassemia-free State, outlining a long-term vision to eliminate preventable genetic blood disorders by 2035. He was speaking at the Asian Thalassemia Conclave held at Kamala Hospital in Hyderabad, organised by the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society.

“Disorders such as thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia and haemophilia are not limited to clinical treatment alone, but represent lifelong social and economic challenges for affected families,” the Minister added while pointing to the higher risk of transmission associated with consanguineous marriages and said prevention remained the most effective strategy. Pre-marital screening, genetic counselling and sustained public awareness were critical to breaking the cycle of inherited diseases, he said.

Detailing the steps taken by the Telangana government, the Minister said screening of pregnant women had already been successfully implemented in Mahabubnagar and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts.

Existing day care centres for thalassemia patients in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal and Khammam would soon be supplemented with three new centres in Asifabad, Mancherial and Karimnagar, he announced. These facilities are expected to ease the burden of frequent travel for patients who require regular blood transfusions and monitoring.

On early detection and treatment, the Minister said more than 11 lakh people in Telangana had been screened for sickle cell disease so far, with all diagnosed patients receiving free treatment at government hospitals. He added that advanced, life-saving interventions such as bone marrow transplants were being provided at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad.

Under the T-Diagnostics programme, all essential investigations for thalassemia, sickle cell and haemophilia patients are being conducted free of cost, with additional testing facilities to be provided wherever required.

“The government’s goal is to ensure that no child is born with a preventable genetic disorder and no family will be pushed into poverty due to treatment expenses,” the Minister said while concluding his address.