Second phase of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna launched 

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.