MATCH BLOOD REPORTS, NOT HOROSCOPES
Ferozepur Health Dept raises awareness on Thalassemia
Ferozepur, May 29: Under the guidance of Civil Surgeon Dr. Rajwinder Kaur, the Health Department of Ferozepur organized an awareness seminar on Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder, at the Civil Hospital. Children undergoing treatment for Thalassemia were honoured and encouraged by Senior Medical Officer Dr. Nikhil Gupta, who presented them with gifts in recognition of their courage.
Addressing the seminar, Paediatric Specialists Dr. Isha Narula and Dr. Harpreet Kaur emphasized that Thalassemia, which results in the body producing little or no blood, is a hereditary disease that can only be prevented through awareness. Due to low public understanding, many children unknowingly fall victim to this life-altering condition. The doctors explained that affected children are unable to produce sufficient blood naturally and often require transfusions every 10 to 15 days—a painful and challenging process for both the child and their family.
Dr. Shaina, another Pediatric Expert, highlighted the urgent need for young people to be aware of Thalassemia. “Instead of matching horoscopes before marriage, couples should match their blood reports,” she said. She warned that Major Thalassemia is a serious condition whose only treatment is bone marrow transplantation, a costly and difficult procedure due to the rarity of compatible donors.
District Mass Media Officer Sanjeev Sharma explained that Thalassemia is characterized by low haemoglobin and red blood cell levels due to inherited genetic traits, often passed from parents to children. This leads to chronic fatigue and increased vulnerability to other diseases, requiring repeated blood transfusions.
Dy MMO Ankush Bhandari added that the Punjab Health Department, under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, provides free treatment for children suffering from Thalassemia. For advanced treatment, children are referred to PGI Chandigarh and five designated Thalassemic Societies in Punjab, located at Government Medical Colleges in Amritsar, Patiala, Faridkot, Dayanand Hospital in Ludhiana, and Civil Hospital Jalandhar, as per the convenience of the parents.
The awareness seminar was successfully organized with special support from the staff of Civil Hospital Ferozepur.