'Haemoglobin Etrait cases high in N Bengal' : Darj dist health dept marksThalassemia Day with various events

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS, SILIGURI, 8 MAY 20222 : The haemoglobin Etrait has been found as having higher prevalence among people in north Bengal, doctors said here today. The findings suggested the around25,000 people have been found to be carrying the*E disease' among the around 18 lakh screened in the region.

The Darjeeling district health department today observed International Thalassemia Day in Siliguri after the Hlaemoglobinopathy Control Programme decided to hold the programme in the town this year.

A walkathln, sit-and-draw contest and cultural events were organised to generate awareness on thalassemia.

A genetic disorder, thalassemia is passed on to children from their parents.

Experts attending the programme said the hemoglobin E-trait and hemoglobin 'E-disease' were found to be high in north Bengal. Hemoglobin E-trait is an inherited blood disorder.

"The hemoglobin E-trait and hemoglobin E- disease are high in prevalence. People usually live normal lives. In E- disease, blood transfusion is not always necessary," said Dr Biplabendu Talukdar, programme officer of the state blood cell.

Haemoglobin E-beta thalassemia is also high in the state, he said.

According to Prof Rajib Dey, department of hematology, NilRatan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, and the mentor of thalassemia control units (TCU) in north Bengal, most thalassemia carriers had been detected in Cooch Behar district and Toto Para in Alipurduar district. There are more than 20 percent carriers in north Bengal, he said.

There are 36 TCU functional across the state and six of them are in north Bengal. The units deal with blood disorders like thalassaemia and hemophilia and provide laboratory service, screening, and day care service.

Doctors said the figure was ascertained through screening and not a population-based house-to-house survey. The state government is planning to ensure that thalassaemia patients get blood transfusion centres at their nearest health centres.

"It will help save their transport cost and time. For that, t hey need to enlist themselves with the TCU" Prof Dey said.

Prof Dey said carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis were two important ways to check thalassemia at birth.

A pregnant woman can undergo the chorionic villus sampling test that would help determine whether the child could be thalassemic, and take decisions accordingly.

Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health Dr Tulsi Pramanik, meanwhile, stressed on awareness.

"Around 70,000 people have been screened in the district and 314 cases have been registered. The health department is in regular touch with the patients and gives them medicines and blood. We are conducting awareness programmes at high schools and colleges under nine blocks and four civic bodies to counsel them. However, we need to reach out to a wider spectrum," Dr Pramanik said.

Sources at the district health department, however, said the number could be more than 314. They said there were a good number of hemoglobin E- trait cases in the district.

According to Darjeeling district magistrate S Ponnambalam, the state government was supporting the patients in their treatment.

"More awareness campaigns are required to inform people about ways to prevent thalassemia. We should not lose hope," Mr Ponnambalam said.

A TCU is operating at the pathology department of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri. The principal of the NBMCH, Prof Indrajit Saha, superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik, dean of student affairs Dr Sandip Sengupta, were among those present at the programme today.