In a major step to improve the lives of children with thalassemia and aplastic anemia, Coal India has introduced the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna. This initiative is aimed at providing financial support for life-saving stem cell transplants to children across India who have fully matched sibling, related, or unrelated donors.
Launch at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
The launch of this scheme took place at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, a leading center for treating pediatric blood and cancer disorders. The hospital has been at the forefront of managing these conditions for over 30 years. This program is expected to benefit hundreds of children who come to the hospital seeking treatment.
Importance of Stem Cell Transplants
Thalassemia major is a serious condition that requires lifelong blood transfusions unless a stem cell transplant is performed. With a successful transplant, these children can live healthy lives without the need for constant transfusions. Aplastic anemia, another life-threatening condition, stops the body from producing blood, leading to serious complications such as severe infections or bleeding. Stem cell transplants offer a potential cure for both these conditions.
Gratitude and Support from Medical Experts
Dr. DS Rana and Dr. Ajay Swaroop, key figures at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, expressed deep gratitude to Coal India for this initiative. They emphasized that this support would significantly improve the lives of children and their families.
Dr. Anupam Sachdeva, Head of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant Services at the hospital, also expressed his enthusiasm. He highlighted that financial barriers often prevent children from receiving these essential transplants. This scheme aims to remove those barriers and ensure that children get the life-saving treatments they need.
Raising Awareness for Families
Ms. Shobha Tuli, Secretary of Thalassemics India, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the scheme. She urged families affected by these conditions to seek information and take advantage of the available funding to help their children get the necessary treatments.