Panchkula, May 8, 2025
On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, doctors and health experts at Paras Health, Panchkula, are calling attention to the urgent need for increased awareness, early screening, and improved access to treatment for thalassemia in India.
Thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder caused by abnormal hemoglobin production, continues to pose a major public health challenge. India carries nearly 25% of the global β-thalassemia burden, with approximately 100,000 patients and an estimated 42 million carriers.
Dr. (Brig) Ajay Sharma, Director and Head, Clinical Hematology and BMT, Paras Health Panchkula, said: “Thalassemia is not just a disease; it is a lifelong and challenging journey for both the patient and their family, involving numerous emotional and financial difficulties. With timely screening — such as carrier testing, prenatal testing, and proper family counseling — it is possible to bring a child into this world free of the disease. Therefore, making thalassemia prevention a national priority and essential healthcare goal is imperative.”
While medical advancements, such as regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, have extended survival and improved quality of life for patients, several gaps remain. India lacks a national patient registry, comprehensive care centers, and universal access to cost-effective diagnostic tools. Rural areas are particularly affected due to inadequate screening programs, limited access to expert care, and a shortage of trained counselors.
The financial burden on families is staggering. Studies estimate that managing a thalassemia patient with transfusion therapy over 50 years could cost nearly INR 1,000 crores if just 1% of patients survive to that age. Beyond the cost, many families struggle to find compatible stem cell donors, which offer a potential cure but are limited by a lack of public awareness and donor registrations.
“We must accelerate community-based screening programs and create strong awareness campaigns at the grassroots level. But alongside prevention, we must also improve access to affordable treatment and increase the pool of voluntary stem cell donors in India,” said Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Hospital Director, Paras Health Panchkula.
Paras Health offers comprehensive thalassemia care, including a dedicated transfusion center, advanced transfusion services, and bone marrow transplant (BMT) facilities. Its regular thalassemia clinic provides holistic, multispecialty care under one roof. On this World Thalassemia Day, the hospital reaffirms its commitment to improving patient outcomes, expanding awareness, and working towards a future where no child is born with thalassemia.
Paras Health, known for its commitment to blood disorder management, urges both government bodies and civil society to come together to prioritize thalassemia prevention and care.