Kolkata, 8th May: Planning to tie the nuptial knot. Get a blood test done. That was the message which went loud and clear from city doctors to help prevent the spread of Thalassaemia.
”Society needs to be more conscious of the disease. A simple blood test before marriage can ensure that your child is not born with Thalassaemia,” Dr Barun Banerjee, Haemotologist, Mercy Hospital said.
Harping on the need to prevent the spread of the disease rather than curbing it, he said, ”Since Thalassaemia is a genetically transmitted disorder we can only prevent it.” During pregnancy one can also undergo tests to check if the foetus is carrying a Thalassaemic gene, Mr Banerjee added.
He was speaking at a programme organised by the hospital yesterday to mark the World Thalassaemia Day today.
According to statistics, approximately 200 million people across the globe are suffering from the dreaded disease with 3 to 15 per cent of the Indian population carrying Thalassaemia Carrier genes.
Artist Shuvaprasanna, jewellery and fashion designer Agnimitra Paul among others graced the occasion.