The ongoing lockdown is not only hampering business and employment of people but also the treatment of a large number of children suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia. There are a large number of cases of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell in Jharkhand.
Due to lack of medicines and blood transfusion facility, their problems have increased as parents of the children are facing problem in bringing them to hospitals during the lockdown. According to experts, the children suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia need medication and blood transfusion every 15 to 20 days.
Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Blood Bank was providing free 550 units to 600 units’ blood every month to patients suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia. At present it is giving only 300 units because the blood bank doesn’t have enough blood to give for free. There was only 60 units’ blood available at blood bank on Saturday where 110 units were collected from blood donors.
Due to the ongoing lockdown, the plying of vehicles is prohibited due to which many patients are not able to reach the day-care centers of RIMS and Sadar Hospital from different districts of the State.
At the same time, some people are reaching 100-km distance from their bikes and scooters to show the child at RIMS to get medicine and blood transfusions.
People belonging to below poverty line section of the society are forced to keep children at home. Even after pleading with the District Administration, they are not able to get a vehicle. Director of RIMS Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh informed that such families are calling the office and demanding to provide the vehicle to bring their children to the hospital.
He said that the parents are being asked to contact the local administration.
“On Saturday, three families called and demanded to provide the vehicle from RIMS. At the same time, the patients of Hemophilia are also having difficulty in transfusing the factor. Hemophilia suffering patients are also not able to reach the Hemophilia day-care unit,” said Kumar.
Parents of children suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia are saying that private vehicle drivers are demanding huge sum of money. Where they used to pay Rs 500 earlier now they are paying Rs 3000- Rs 4000.