In a praiseworthy initiative, Maa Aaasaraa Creations, an NGO formed by a group of volunteers mostly NRIs four years ago, has decided to adopt 39 children suffering from thalassemia in North Andhra.
The NGO will not only take care of their regular medical check-up but also provide vaccination and other support to help them maintain average haemoglobin requirement.
Children are born with thalassemia due to genetic disorders characterised by deficient production of haemoglobin. One of the proteins required for production of haemoglobin alpha and beta is found deficient causing inadequate formation of red blood cells. This leads to failure in transmitting sufficient amount of oxygen to all the parts of the body.
“This then results in organs that are starved of oxygen and unable to function properly. Hence, the patients need regular blood check-up once in three to four weeks and whenever their haemoglobin count drops below the requirement level, they need immediate blood transfusion,” Malathi Dechiraju, CEO of Maa Aaasaraa Creations told The Hindu on Sunday. Ms. Malathi, who was here to conduct a free medical camp, said their focus areas were on creating awareness among blood donors to regularly donate blood and sensitise parents to send their children for regular screening. Once diagnosed, they should go for blood transfusion whenever required.
It is estimated that for every 10,000 births every year in India, 1,000 are reported in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Thlassemia can be cured by bone marrow transplantation, which is very expensive.
Making it very clear that persons suffering from thalassemia could lead a normal life, Ms. Malathi, said the State government should cover patients suffering from thalassemia under NTR Arogya Seva. Majority of thalassemia patients are from poor families.
Her advice to couples is to go for thalassemia carrier blood test to prevent their children suffering from the ailment. If both parents are tested as carriers, then the possibility of the child being born with thalassemia is higher. Even if the first child is normal, it will not guarantee that the second one will not have thalassemia.
Minister promises help
HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Sunday promised to take up the suggestion to cover thalassemia patients under NTR Arogya Seva.
He made the promise during his brief visit to a free medical camp conducted for thalassemia patients by Maa Aasaraa Creations at Tapasya Convention Hall in MVP Colony.
General physician Dr. Nageswara Rao, dentist Dr. Prasanthi, paediatrician Dr. Ramesh and pathologist Dr. Ramalakshmi examined the patients.
Counselling was also offered to the patients and their parents at the camp. About 80 patients from different parts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram attended.
Maa Aaasaraa Creations CEO Malathi Dechiraju and local coordinator and TDP district ST urban cell president Mallepula Nirmala Kumari earlier explained about the need to create awareness on thalassemia.
Patients need regular blood check-up once in three to four weeks and whenever their haemoglobin count drops below the requirement level, they need immediate blood transfusion
Malathi Dechiraju
CEO, Maa Aaasaraa Creations
Maa Aaasaraa Creations will not only take care of their regular medical check-up but also provide vaccination and other support
