A growing number of thalassemia patients in Kerala are facing a distressing reality: their hemoglobin levels are plummeting, even after receiving vital blood transfusions. This alarming situation is directly linked to a critical shortage of leukocyte filter sets, essential devices designed to prevent severe adverse reactions during these life-sustaining procedures.
Adding to their woes, the Kozhikode-based Blood Patients Protection Council, Kerala, reports a year-long scarcity of crucial iron chelation drugs. These medications are indispensable for patients who undergo frequent transfusions, as they prevent dangerous iron overload that can severely damage internal organs.
For context, thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder characterized by the body’s inability to produce sufficient hemoglobin, the vital protein responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body. The primary treatments involve regular blood transfusions to replenish hemoglobin and iron chelation therapy to manage the subsequent iron build-up.
Patients Reluctant to Undergo Needed Transfusions
Kareem Karassery, president of the council, highlights the profound impact of these shortages. He notes that the persistent unavailability of leukocyte filter sets in government medical college hospitals and other public healthcare facilities has made many patients hesitant to receive blood transfusions. While two units of blood are typically needed to maintain healthy hemoglobin levels, fear of severe reactions often leads patients to accept only one unit, resulting in abnormally low hemoglobin. Karassery warns that without adequate iron chelation drugs, the significant iron accumulation from transfusions poses a serious threat to patients’ hearts, livers, and other vital organs.
Government Hospital Acknowledges and Addresses Concerns
While government sources indicate that an order has been issued authorizing hospitals to make local purchases to mitigate the crisis, Karassery claims that authorities are not consistently adhering to this directive. He further mentions that the council has formally submitted a memorandum to the district administration, underscoring the urgency of their situation.
Officials at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode, affirm that active measures are underway to resolve the ongoing shortages. They attribute the procurement delays to financial constraints faced by the government. However, they assure that tenders have been floated, and a fresh supply of both iron chelation drugs and leukocyte filter sets is expected to arrive as early as this week.