Batting for persons with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), doctors and experts working in the area have suggested that persons with CML should be included in the ‘Specified Disability’ so that it gives them the honour and dignity that they deserve.
In a letter to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Dinesh Bhurani of the Department of Haemato-oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, said: “CML is a slowly progressing blood cancer arising from blood forming cells producing large number of abnormal white cells. It affects over two lakh people in India. A large number of these people are children and young adults who are in the most productive age group. They should be included in the disability bill.”
The treatment of CML includes taking medicines for controlling the cancer, to treat any associated infections/anaemia and other complications of the illness/side-effects of medicine and bone marrow transplantation.
Major problems of the CML patients who are on drugs includes side effect of drugs and compromised quality of life along with physical and economic disability, fertility issues/disturbed family life, medicines have to be taken daily, recurrent blood test and hospital visits and the rising cost associated with the disease.
