As per the Union Health Ministry, a total of 4,361 thalassemia patients have been registered across the country, as of July 2025.
The Centre is priortising the monitoring of thalassemia patients, with the integration of a dedicated thalassemia module into the Sickle Cell Portal, since 2023. This was done to enable states to enter records of the existing thalassemia patients.
What is Thalassemia?
As per the Mayo Clinic, thalassemia is a blood disorder that is inherited, which means it is passed on from parents to children. This makes it important to monitor for the condition in people, especially pregnant women.
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The condition causes the body to have less of the protein haemoglobin than usual. The role of haemoglobin in red blood cells is important as it allows the cells to carry oxygen. A shortage of hemoglobin or RBCs leads to a condition called anaemia that makes an individual weak and tired.
People suffering from thalassemia might need regular blood transfusions in serious cases.
Here are some of the symptoms, as per the Cleveland Clinic.
-Fatigue
-Trouble breathing
-Feeling cold
-Dizziness
-Pale skin
As per the Centre, regular monitoring, follow-up, and data entry for screening are being carried out on the National Portal, strengthening surveillance and care for thalassemia patients across the country.
In order to financially support patients, the Union Health Ministry, in association with Coal India Limited (CIL), is implementing a scheme, namely Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY), wherein assistance up to Rs 10 lakh is provided to eligible patients for Bone Marrow transplants (BMT).
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