HLA camp for Thalassemia and aplastic anemia afflicted kids at PGICH, Noida
The Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Noida-based Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (PGICH) organised an HLA camp recently with the help of Thalassemics India, an NGO, for children with blood disorders namely thalassemia and aplastic anemia.
More than 35 kids with these genetic diseases, and their family members attended the camp.. HLA typing is a crucial step to identify compatible donors for Bone marrow transplantation which is the only cure in these diseases.
As the test is expensive, most families from underprivileged sections of society are not able to afford it. Bone marrow transplantation, however is supported by the Government through various schemes such as Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, Chief Minister and Prime Minister's Relief fund, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi etc, informed Dr Nita Radhakrishnan, associate Professor and HOD, Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the hospital.
PGICH caters to more than 350 children with hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia. Through NHM, thalassemia funding, the center provides free chelation, leukodepleted and NAT tested blood and comprehensive care for these children.
Two-day ‘FICCI HEAL 2023’ held in Delhi
Dr Vinod K Paul, Member NITI Aayog said recently that India has crossed the WHO benchmark of 1 doctor per thousand for the allopath. Additionally, the number of Ayush doctors is 1.3. “We (India) have a long way to go, surely, because the nations with whom we compare ourselves have typically about three doctors per thousand and definitely two per thousand,” he said, addressing the session ‘Perspectives on Healthcare’ at 17th edition of ‘FICCI HEAL 2023’ held here recently.
Roli Singh, Additional Secretary & DG (CGHS), Union Health Ministry asserted that the success of the government schemes are determined by how well they are implemented on the ground. "It is not only the schemes we design, but how they are implemented that makes the difference,” she added.
Dr Akshay Jain, Joint Director, National Health Authority shared the initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen the digital health service system and enhance access to quality healthcare. Dr Harsh Mahajan, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee from Mahajan Imaging & Labs pressed on the need to draw inspiration from other sectors for a fresh approach to disruptive thinking to bring transformative changes in the healthcare sector.
Mandaviya: govt building one medical college in every district
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister has said that the Government is building one medical college in every district of India. “We are also creating a medical ecosystem in the country by increasing the number of UG and PG seats, transforming the quality of healthcare infrastructure and encouraging the manufacturing of medical devices,” he said in his inaugural address delivered virtually at the centenary celebrations of Andhra Medical College in the presence of Vidadala Rajini, Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Andhra Pradesh. He also laid the foundation stone for a 50-bedded Critical Care Block in Andhra Medical College.