LUCKNOW: People having propensity for blood-related disorders can now come to King George’s Medical University (KGMU) for preventive treatment and consultation to check it from passing on to their children.
The haematology department of the university on Tuesday launched a first-of-itskind clinic for preventive haematology.
It will operate on every Saturday at department’s outpatient door (OPD) chamber located in New OPD building.
Besides offering treatment and counselling to patients with blood disorders and those having traits or probability of developing such disorders, the clinic will also reach out to other patients in the university’s hospital to spread awareness on the issue.
“Blood related disorders can be prevented by taking several measures,” said Prof AK Tripathi, head haematology, at a seminar organised on the occasion of the inauguration of the clinic.
“For example, anaemia is caused due to deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or folate and drug induction. It can be prevented through diet and medication,” he said Similarly, he said, genetic blood disorders like thalassemia and haemophilia can be diagnosed at an early stage and prevented from aggravating.
“There is also a possibility that parents suffering from thalassemia or haemophilia can pass it on to their children. We can find out whether the unborn child is suffering from any of the two disorders through a hemogram test on the foetus during pregnancy. If the severity of the disorder is less, preventive measures can be taken to keep it under control after birth. However, if severity levels are high, parents can be counselled to terminate the pregnancy because such will either not survive or her/his life will be miserable,” he explained.
KMGU vice-chancellor Lt Gen Dr Bipin Puri said the initiative will support the national goal of anaemia-free India.
Chief guest, Dr Tulika Seth, AIIMS, Delhi, said, “Awareness will help people suffering from blood disorders to report early, thus preventing the disease from aggravating and taking a toll on psychological, physical and financial health.”
