Ranchi: Healthcare in the state may finally be coming of age.
Jharkhand Thalassemia Foundation, in association with International Thalassemia Federation and Think Foundation (Mumbai), has readied a plan to set up the first day care centre of the state in the capital to bail out patients who currently need to get admitted to a hospital for blood transfusion.
Admission is not just an extra burden on the pocket, it also drags the treatment process for up to 72 hours because a lot of paperwork, including entry form and discharge summary, is involved.
The pilot centre has been proposed in the sprawling basement of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Bariatu. The state-run hospital is expected to formally hand over the 1,200sqft space to the thalassemia foundation on Saturday after which minor internal renovation and logistics support will pave the way for the day care centre.
The state chapter of the National Health Mission has agreed, in principle, to extend support by supplying free medicines and other necessary items.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to acute anaemia. There are two main forms of the disease that are more serious. Alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia have two subtypes each.
Atul Gera, secretary of the state foundation, said the centre should be up and running in two months. "That is the time needed to set up basic logistics. We plan a 10-bed day care facility. Awareness is the key to right care and cure in this case," said Gera, also a member of the state blood transfusion council.
According to the health crusader, Jharkhand currently lacks concrete data on the number of thalassemia patients in its 24 districts, but field studies suggest no less than 300 in each.
"Not many deaths get reported because many districts don't even have proper state-run facilities for blood transfusion. For instance, packed RBCs (considered best for patients) is available only in Ranchi, Bokaro and Jamshedpur. Also, the disease and its symptoms are often mismanaged. We are trying to streamline the problem," he explained.
At the day care centre, Gera maintained, medicines would be given away for free. "The only thing one will have to do is register for transfusion in advance. Both online and offline booking systems will be made available before the centre is launched," he said, adding that once the facility started functioning, the government by default would get a database of people affected by thalassemia.
Gera said if the pilot centre drew good response, similar facilities will be opened in other cities and towns. "Blood is the key to cure. In Ranchi, the RIMS blood bank will offer supply. Nonetheless, we have decided to host more blood donation camps to meet future requirements," he said.
On pocket pinch, Gera said during promotional days, transfusion would be free for all. "Rates may be drawn up later, if necessary."
State project director of National Health Mission K.N. Jha said they were planning to categorise thalassemia as a "rare disease", which would entitle patients to more support from the government. "We shall soon start a special screening drive for patients in the state," Jha added.
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