Thalassemia Conclave 2025 Urges Urgent Policy Action for Safe Blood & Better Treatment Access

New Delhi: The Thalassemia Conclave 2025, hosted by Thalassemics India, Coal India, and the Thalassemia International Federation, convened key stakeholders under the theme 'Strengthening Connections & Bridging Gaps' to advance transformative strategies for Thalassemia care.

The conclave brought together leading medical experts, policymakers, and patient advocates to discuss urgent policy interventions, particularly in affordable healthcare, accessibility to life-saving treatments, and regulatory measures for safe blood transfusions. The discussions focused on regional collaboration, innovations in treatment, and addressing unmet patient needs.

Dr Vinod K Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy for Thalassemia care. He stated,"I will wait for Thalassemia society to submit a blueprint on the strategy for care, cure, and control so that we can all deliberate on it."

Deepak Chopra, President of Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG), highlighted the importance of integrating Thalassemia into national health programs. He said,"This conclave serves as a pivotal platform to explore cutting-edge advancements, foster collaboration, and drive impactful change in Thalassemia care across India and beyond. Including Thalassemia packages under NHM and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is a praiseworthy initiative. However, the government should launch a Thalassemia elimination programme or integrate it with the existing sickle cell elimination initiative, aligning with the Prime Minister's goal to eradicate sickle cell disease by 2047."

Anubha Taneja Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG, underscored the challenges faced by Thalassemia patients in India due to a lack of awareness, timely diagnosis, and access to quality treatment. She urged the government to mandate the gold-standard Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) for blood safety and establish a consolidated blood law for transfusion services.

"To prevent mortality from transfusion-transmitted infections like HIV and HCV, NAT must be mandated across India. Additionally, a long-term measure like a consolidated blood law is essential. Thalassemia is recognized as a disability under the law, but job reservations are still not applicable. We request the government to provide job reservations for Thalassemia patients so that they can contribute to nation-building."

The conclave featured leading experts such as Dr Tulika Seth (AIIMS, New Delhi), Dr Androulla Eleftheriou (Thalassemia International Federation), Dr Rahul Bhargava (Fortis Memorial, Gurugram), Dr Amita Mahajan (Apollo, Delhi), and Dr Sangeeta Pathak (Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology). Their discussions reinforced the urgent need for policy-driven solutions and multi-sector collaboration to reshape Thalassemia care in India.

The event aligned with Vision Bharat 2047, reaffirming the commitment of policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups to achieve a Thalassemia-free India through equitable and quality healthcare solutions.