Hyderabad, 30th April 2022: Hon’ble Health Minister, Government of Telangana, Shri Harish Rao has today inaugurated the two days National Conference on Prevention of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia organised by Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS), a registered non-profit organization at Hyderabad. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several Thalassemia societies and delegates from across 23 states of India. The conference also creates a platform to discuss the strategies & innovative steps for the Prevention of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia.

Over 150 delegates from across India had elaborative talks about various preventive measures on the genetic blood disorder – Thalassemia during the first day of the conference. Shri Harish Rao, Hon’ble Health Minister – Government of Telangana had also responded positively to release a G.O for mandatory antenatal test – HbA2 for every pregnant woman in the first trimester of pregnancy as appealed by TSCS.

TSCS is World’s biggest society serving more than 3000 Thalassemia Children with modern equipment & specialist doctors, Free of Cost in Hyderabad. TSCS Free services includes Doctor Consultation, Free Laboratory investigations (CBP), Medicines, HLA test, HbA2 test of parents, siblings and extended family members, Blood transfusion and Free Bone Marrow Transplant(with the help of Bajaj Electronics) Hyderabad,. With an aim to work towards Thalassemia Free Society, the staff at TSCS is working relentlessly for this cause, realising the physical & mental pain of Thalassemia patients, as their own family members/friends are affected by Thalassemia.

Speaking at the conference, Shri Harish Rao, Hon’ble Health Minister, Government of Telangana said that “Govt. of Telangana has always been aware of the novel health conditions which keep emerging in these changing times. Thalassemia is also one such disorder. We need to remember that this is not a disease. It is such a grievous thing to see children with Thalessemia suffer.  We from the government have also been helping many  such children through our Aarogyasri. Also we want to start blood banks wherever such high cases of Thalessemia are found in Telangana like parts of Adilabad, Khammam and Warangal. .However as responsible citizens we need to keep educating ourselves to battle such disorders and handle them better. TSCS has been once such best organizations which has been relentlessly contributing to the Thalassemia patients across Telangana and India along with societies who are working for this cause. We are extremely honoured that Telangana is able to host such a national conference to bring together experts from all over the country and meet in such a manner. The Govt. of Telangana will also try to definitely process the appeal which TSCS has made – to release a G.O for mandatory antenatal test – HbA2 for every pregnant woman to help preventing the birth of Thalassemia Major Children. We also want to support for the best possible treatment to all such Thalessemia patients who need better treatment”.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chandrakant Agarwal, President, Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) said, “We want to express our gratitude to the Hon’ble Health Minister of Telangana, Shri Harish Rao garu for gracing the ceremony and encouraging all of us at TSCS along with the societies who have come together for such a large scale National conference for the first time in India and in Hyderabad. The need of the hour is to create further awareness among the masses on the importance for HbA2 test for everyone. We are glad that the Hon’ble Health Minister has responded positively to our request to release a G.O for mandatory antenatal test – HbA2 for every pregnant woman in the first trimester of pregnancy.”

Ms. Ratnavali Kothapalli, Vice President, TSCS said “We are honoured by this gesture by the Govt. of  Telangana and our Hon’ble Health Minister, Shri Harish Rao ji for his assurance to all of us at TSCS who have been working hard for this cause. About 4 percent of the population are Thalassemia carriers and around 10,000 children are born Thalassemia major in India. This conference is one such platform where societies and delegates working for Thalassemia eradication can come together and share their knowledge and expertise.”

Dr. Suman Jain, Secretary & CEO – TSCS said “Awareness is the key to eradicate this disorder. We need to empower ourselves to become a responsible citizen to educate the people about this genetic blood disorder – Thalassemia and make India a Thalassemia Free country. We believe that this conference will open greater opportunities and many such gatherings in the near future.”

The 2 day national conference is being hosted by Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) on 30th April and 1st May at TSCS Centre, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad.