International Thalassaemia Day observed

Jamshedpur, May 8 (UNI) Around 15 to 17 per cent people living in remote areas of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar are suspected to suffer from Thalassaemia, according to a random survey conducted by Dr S P Chatterjee Memorial Health Association here.

The association had conducted a 60-day ''Thalassaemia Awareness Programme,'' which included Thalasssaemia Yatra to Ranchi, Dhanbad, holding of group meeting, workshop and random survey throughout the state, concluded here today on the occasion ''International Thalassaemia Day''.

Expressing concern at the situation prevailing in the region, the survey report said anaemia with Hepatospleenomegaly symptoms are very common as these areas are malaria prone.

Addressing the concluding function association director Dr T K Chatterjee said the scenario was different 10 to 12 years back but now people have become aware of the disease, due to some programmes launched by some non-govermental organisations. But he lamented that the Centre or the state government were not so concerned about the disease while the other countries in the world were initiating various steps to control it, he added.

He also suggested the young couples to carry out blood test before marriage to confirm their status of blood as the disease is generally passed on to the children through their parents.

Dr Chatterjee rued that the association was working in the field for the last 15 years but despite several requests for aids it had not received any positive response from the government.

Jharkhand Welfare minister Ramesh Singh Munda, who was scheduled to grace the occasion was conspicuous by his absence.

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