Telangana Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha on Saturday said the state has set a long-term goal to become thalassemia free by the year 2035, stressing that prevention and early screening are key to eliminating the genetic blood disorder.
Speaking at a medical conclave in Hyderabad attended by doctors, health experts and patient groups, the minister said thalassemia is a preventable condition and that no child should be born with the disease due to lack of awareness or screening. He called for a coordinated effort involving the government, medical professionals and society at large.
The state government plans to strengthen premarital and prenatal screening programmes, expand genetic counselling services, and increase public awareness to prevent new cases. Free diagnosis and treatment are being provided at government hospitals, with specialised day care and treatment centres operating in several districts.
The minister said Telangana has already screened a large number of people for inherited blood disorders and is expanding advanced treatment facilities, including bone marrow transplant services, at select hospitals. Welfare measures such as financial assistance for patients are also being considered to reduce the burden on affected families.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, he urged healthcare workers, non-governmental organisations and community leaders to support the initiative and work towards making Telangana the first state in the country to eliminate thalassemia.
