WHO on May 8 observed World Thalassaemia Day across the world, dedicated to all thalassaemic patients and parents who have never lost hope for life.

The day was observed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in order to raise the public awareness about this disease, prevention measures and measures to avoid its transmission. The theme for the day this year is “Thalassaemia past, present and future: Documenting progress and patients’ needs worldwide”. Thalassaemia is the world's most common genetic blood disorder with nearly 7% of the global population carrying an abnormal hemoglobin gene.

Every year nearly 300,000-500,000 children are born with a blood disorder. Of these 80 per cent are from developing countries. Fifty to hundred thousand children born in developing countries die due to lack of access of treatment. On the occasion, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished to all those fighting the disease: patients, doctors and caregivers. “Today is World Thalassaemia Day. My best wishes to all those fighting the disease : patients, doctors and caregivers,” Ms Banerjee tweeted.

Experts said India is the thalassaemia capital of the world with 40 million carriers and over 1,00,000 thalassaemia majors undergoing blood transfusion every month. While the annual blood transfusion burden is stated to be 2 million units ofpacked red blood cells, spends on thalassaemia treatment each year is pegged at about Rs. 15,000 crores, as per a study supported by Indian Council of Medical Research and the article titled Burden of thalassaemia in India: The road map for control published in the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Journal, authored by three research scholars at National Institute of Immunohaematology.

Taking cognizance of this alarming trend and as part of its efforts to reduce the burden of hemoglobinopathies in Bengal, Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospital launched a ‘Comprehensive Thalassaemia Clinic’ adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment of thalassemia.