UPSC Articles
Second phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna launched
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health
In news
- The second phase of “Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna” was recently launched for the underprivileged Thalassemic patients.
Important value additions
Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna
- Launched in: 2017
- It is a Coal India CSR funded Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) program.
- Aim: To provide a one-time cure opportunity for Haemoglobinopathies like Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Disease for patients who have a matched family donor.
- The CSR initiative was targeted to provide financial assistance to a total of 200 patients by providing a package cost not exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs per HSCT.
Thalassemia
- Haemoglobinopathies, such as Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are inherited disorders of red blood cells.
- They are preventable.
- People with thalassaemia are not able to make enough haemoglobin due to which oxygen cannot get to all parts of the body.
- Due to this, organs are unable to function properly.
- There are two major types of thalassaemia, alpha and beta. These are named for the two protein chains that make up normal haemoglobin.
- In India, Thalassemia Major (TM) and the severe form of Thalassemia Intermedia (TI) constitute the major burden of disease.