Source: PIB
Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) launched the III phase of the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) to commemorate World Thalassemia Day (May 8).
Thalassemia:
- Thalassemia is an inherited (passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called haemoglobin, an important part of RBCs.
- Thalassemia is a treatable disorder that can be well-managed with blood transfusions and chelation therapy.
Steps taken in India:
- The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: Thalassemia was recognised as a benchmark disability.
- TBSY: Coal India Limited, under the auspices of the MoH&FW, is implementing TBSY (since 2017) as part of its CSR initiative to support the treatment of children affected by Thalassemia and Aplastic Anaemia.
- National mission to tackle thalassemia: The Union government will soon launch the mission with a country-wide screening exercise.
