Metro India News | amaravati

Medical and Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said in the Assembly on Wednesday that the government will provide all possible help to patients suffering from thalassemia. Replying to a question raised by BJP member Vishnu Kumar Raju about  thalassemia patients, the Minister replied that the actual cost of treatment of thalassemia patients depends on the severity of the condition, the treatment being received and whether he is being treated in a government or private hospital. He said the government is providing the required blood units free of cost at all (public and private) blood centers as per the central government-run NBTC and DGHS guidelines.

The minister said the government will grant pensions of Rs 10,000 per month to thalassemia patients after SERP scrutiny of their applications He mentioned that at present, 1,094 thalassemia patients undergoing treatment in various government and private hospitals are being treated free of cost. The minister explained that thalassemia patients need to be treated with bone marrow if they want to be treated to the fullest extent.

“We have reviewed it recently as it is very costly. When the matter was brought to the notice of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, he agreed to provide financial assistance through the Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. The Chief Minister had recently expressed his willingness to help not only those below the poverty line but also the middle class.

Several voluntary organizations are working for the people suffering from thalassemia and as part of this. The NTR Memorial Trust recently raised funds. Similarly, the Red Cross is also taking several steps to help people suffering from thalassemia and other patients." the Health Minister said in the assembly. The minister also informed that as part of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Programme, medical examinations were conducted for children in the state and around 130 people were found to be infected.