Nagarkurnool: On Thursday, a special rally took place at the District Parishad Office (Old Collectorate) in Nagarkurnool to raise awareness about World Thalassemia Day. Dr. M Venkata Dasu, Deputy District Medical and Health Officer, flagged off the event.
Dr. Dasu spoke about Thalassemia, a serious inherited blood disorder. He explained that the condition is passed from parents to children and causes many health problems from a young age.
Children with Thalassemia often feel tired, grow slowly, and fall sick frequently. They usually have very low hemoglobin levels—as low as 2 to 3 gm. Their liver and spleen become enlarged, and their stomachs may swell due to the illness.
To stay alive, these children need monthly blood transfusions. They also undergo regular blood tests to check iron levels in the body. Too much iron can damage important organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, and even the brain.
Dr. Dasu added that these patients must take iron-chelating medicines every month to remove excess iron. The only permanent cure is a bone marrow transplant, which is very expensive, costing around ₹10 to ₹15 lakhs. Even then, it only works if a matching donor, often a close relative, is available.
However, the disease is preventable. Dr. Dasu stressed the importance of blood screening tests before marriage. He also advised against marrying close relatives, as that increases the risk of passing on the disorder.
The rally aimed to educate people about early detection and prevention, helping reduce the number of children born with Thalassemia in the future.
