The first module of the 3rd National Health Mission – PGIMER Capacity Building Workshop on Hemoglobinopathies and Hemophilia was organized recently by the Department of Hematology at PGI, Chandigarh from the 21st to 23rd of March. Over 20 specialist doctors from various districts of Haryana underwent intensive training in the laboratory diagnosis and the role of laboratory tests in the treatment of life-threatening blood diseases like thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and other bleeding disorders. Training included detailed lectures by experts from hematology, pediatrics, and transfusion medicine departments, discussion of real-life cases and situations, as well as visits to hospital areas catering to the care of these patients.
These inherited disorders are common among several communities in various parts of India, and their timely and correct diagnosis can prevent the birth of affected children as well as improve the quality of life and prevent complications in those who are affected. Their care, often neglected in the past, has been designated a priority by the N.H.M. as timely interventions can actually result in cost-effective preventive approaches, rather than investing in expensive remedial measures when the diseases reach an advanced stage.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shalini Panwar, Joint Director, Haryana State Blood Transfusion Council, reiterated the state government’s resolve to strengthen the healthcare delivery system for serious genetic disorders. This is being achieved through the education of healthcare professionals as well as lay public for the screening of pregnant women and other target populations, setting up of daycare centres, and providing advanced facilities including prenatal diagnosis and stem cell transplantation in collaboration with centres of excellence. She was accompanied by Dr. Seema Ghai, Additional Project Director, Haryana State AIDS Control Society, who discussed the importance of blood banks and blood transfusion services in the care of these patients.
Dr. Reena Das, Professor and Head of Hematology Department at PGIMER, said that while advanced centres like PGIMER had been continually providing care to referred patients for the last 3 decades, the sheer burden of these disease meant that more efforts were needed. In this regard, it was heartening to work with the National Health Mission by training doctors from J&K, Uttarakhand and now, in the third edition of the workshop, from Haryana to deliver services to patients without making them travel long distances. The clinical module of this workshop will be held later this month from 28-30 March, where over 50 pediatricians, gynecologists and physicians will be trained in the same disorders.