Govt, Coal India to help in treatment of kids suffering from thalassaemia

"Initially, the project will be initiated at four centres and gradually it may be extended to six more centres so that the waiting time for patients is reduced. Each centre should have performed at least five bone marrow transplants in a year for thalassaemia patients," the official said.

An estimated 10,000 to 12,000 children are born with thalassaemia every year in the country.

"The only curative treatment for these children is bone marrow transplant which is quite an expensive and costs around 22-25 lakhs in private facilities," a senior doctor at AIIMS said.

Coal India, under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, has agreed to provide financial support of Rs 10 lakh for each children undergoing the treatment, the official said.

According to the official, the health ministry held meetings with institutions offering this treatment to reduce the price for bone marrow transplant and finally the four facilities were selected.

In the first phase, treatment of 200 children will be funded under this initiative. PLB NSD