New Delhi, July 29 (UNI) As many as 4,361 thalassemia patients have been registered on the National Sickle Cell Portal, with children below the age of 12 accounting for a significant share ie 2,579 cases, data shared by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today in the Rajya Sabha revealed.
Responding to a written question in this regard, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel stated that a dedicated thalassemia module was integrated into the Sickle Cell Portal in 2023.
The module enables States and Union Territories to systematically upload patient records, thereby facilitating regular monitoring, follow-ups, and data-driven surveillance on a national scale.
The Minister noted that while the overall responsibility for thalassemia-related management and public awareness lies with respective State and UT governments, the Centre continues to extend support under the National Health Mission (NHM). This includes both financial and logistical assistance aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure.
“Support is provided for a range of services, including screening and treatment, provision of medicines, blood bank facilities, day care centres, laboratory services, training of healthcare personnel, and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities,” Patel said. These measures are incorporated into the Programme Implementation Plans submitted annually by States and UTs, she added.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to improve access to advanced treatment, the Minister also referred to the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), an initiative supported by Coal India Limited under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate. The scheme provides financial assistance of up to Rs10 lakh for bone marrow transplants (BMT) in eligible patients, and is currently operational across 17 empanelled hospitals nationwide.
