Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha stressed the need to raise thalassemia awareness from school level, citing 2,858 current cases in the state. At a Rotary seminar, he emphasized early detection, bone marrow transplant services, and public awareness to combat the disease effectively.
In a step towards combating thalassemia in Tripura, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness about the hereditary blood disorder from the school level. Speaking at a seminar on thalassemia organized by the Rotary Club of Agartala at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan on Sunday, the Chief Minister stressed that early awareness and intervention are vital to eradicating the disease from society.
Dr. Saha revealed that Tripura currently has 2,858 identified thalassemia patients. “If we want to eliminate thalassemia, awareness must begin from schools. Educating young minds and encouraging regular screening are essential strategies in our fight against this disease,” he said.
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by reduced hemoglobin production, leading to anemia. The condition mainly exists in two forms—Alpha and Beta. While minor cases can go unnoticed for years, severe cases often require frequent blood transfusions and, in some instances, bone marrow transplantation.
The Chief Minister explained that with early diagnosis and proper treatment, thalassemia patients can lead relatively healthy lives. “Patients must not feel helpless. Advances in medical science have made it possible to manage the disease effectively if detected early,” he stated.
He also disclosed that the state Health Department is actively exploring the feasibility of introducing bone marrow transplantation services in Tripura, which is currently unavailable in the state. “Such a facility will be a game changer in offering curative treatment to thalassemia patients,” he added.
Under the Bal Seva Yojana scheme, the government plans to improve treatment infrastructure and offer better healthcare services to thalassemia patients. Dr. Saha pointed out that these efforts align with the state government’s broader initiative to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality.
Highlighting the global importance of the issue, Dr. Saha mentioned that World Thalassemia Day is observed every year on May 8 to spread awareness about the condition. “In India, nearly 70,000 people are suffering from thalassemia, and about 4.2 crore are carriers of the gene. Each year, between 10,000 and 12,000 children are born with beta-thalassemia. This is an alarming statistic and calls for urgent attention,” the Chief Minister remarked.
He also appreciated the Rotary Club of Agartala for organizing the seminar and called on other social organizations to follow suit. “The collective effort of civil society is essential. We need more groups like the Rotary Club to step up and contribute to creating a thalassemia-free future,” Dr. Saha urged.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Rotary Club of Agartala President Kishalay Ghosh, Director of the State Health Department Dr. Tapan Majumdar, Dr. Kameshwar Singh Elambam of the Rotary Club, Director of Family Welfare and Preventive Medicine Dr. Anjan Das, and renowned gymnast and Padma Shri awardee Dipa Karmakar.
Adding a creative and educational dimension to the program, the Rotary Club organized a thalassemia-themed open quiz competition for school students. The Chief Minister expressed hope that such engaging activities will deepen young people’s understanding of the disease and empower them to be advocates for preventive healthcare.
The state government’s increasing focus on preventive medicine, community awareness, and treatment innovation marks a proactive approach in handling genetic disorders like thalassemia. Through partnerships between government departments, NGOs, and educational institutions, Tripura aims to build a robust healthcare ecosystem that is both inclusive and forward-thinking.
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As Dr. Saha rightly pointed out, “Awareness is the first step towards eradication.” The push to integrate health awareness into school curricula, coupled with infrastructural upgrades and public participation, could indeed make Tripura a model state in managing and eventually eliminating thalassemia.
