MANGALDAI, May 10 � The blood bank authority of the Mangaldai Civil Hospital here observed the International Thalassaemia Day on May 8 with a variety of programmes including awareness procession, public meetings etc. The awareness procession taken out in the morning through the main roads of Mangaldai town with the participation of health workers, nurses, local public etc., was flagged off by Dr Manjula Medhi, Joint Director of Health Services, Darrang from the Mangaldai Civil Hospital campus.
In her inaugural speech, Dr Medhi pointed out that with the growth of the blood bank machinery and facility of regular transfusion, thalassaemia patients now could avail a better life than before and she hoped that such awareness programmes will definitely help the people know about the causes, symptoms and prevention of the killer disease. Earlier, explaining the objectives of the day, Dr Daud Ali, in-charge Medical Officer, Blood Bank, Mangaldai said that parents were the carriers of the disease and that disorder in blood formation is its main cause. Referring to statistics, he said that nearly 80 million people in world are affected by this disease and in India about 10,000 babies affected by thalassaemia are born every year. The blood bank Mangaldai presently has recorded 22 patients (all children) who need monthly blood transfusion from the blood bank.
The awareness rally was followed by a public meeting on theme of this year�s World Thalassaemia Day, �Enhancing Partnership Towards Patient Centered Health System: Good Health Adds Life To Years� which was attended by Dr Binita Goswami, Superintendent, Civil Hospital Mangaldai , senior surgeon Dr Phanindra Choudhury, other health officials and staff, guardians of thalassaemia-affected children, media persons among others.
