Ranchi residents, many of whom are children suffering from Thalassemia, Sickle Cell, and Aplastic Anemia, along with their parents, participated in a march to Raj Bhavan on Saturday. Their collective plea was directed at the Jharkhand government, calling for enhanced medical treatment options and much-needed financial support for those affected by these severe blood disorders.
The march was organized under the banner of ‘Lahoo Bolega Blood,’ a statewide organization dedicated to promoting blood donation awareness. Nadeem, the founder of the organization, stated that the event aimed to bring the state government’s attention to the plight of individuals battling Thalassemia, Sickle Cell, and Aplastic Anemia. He highlighted that approximately 11,000 people in Jharkhand are estimated to be affected by these conditions, with a significant number belonging to economically disadvantaged backgrounds who find the treatment costs prohibitive.
Nadeem further pointed out the lack of comprehensive government surveys to accurately determine the number of patients. He stressed the critical need for regular blood transfusions for Thalassemia patients, estimating an annual requirement of 2.6 lakh units of blood solely for these individuals. A major concern raised was the absence of bone marrow transplant facilities in Jharkhand, a procedure essential for curing these diseases. Patients are forced to travel to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, incurring costs of around ₹35 lakh per patient.
Currently, the financial aid provided by Central Coalfields Ltd (₹10 lakh), the central government (₹3 lakh), and the state government (₹2 lakh) is deemed insufficient. The organization is demanding a clear government policy and increased financial support from the state. Patients also shared the challenges of finding blood donors, emphasizing the need for the government to ensure consistent medical care, blood availability, accessible lab testing, and scholarships for students pursuing education.