NAGPUR: Central India, especially Vidarbha, has high number of patients of sickle cell and thalassaemia, both genetic blood-related disorders. While medicines and surgical treatment are available, most of the patients coming from poor family background cannot afford them.
The ultimate solution of these disorders is to stop genetic mix-up of individuals (husband and wife) with sickle cell trait or thalassaemia miner carriers. To achieve this, Nagpur-headquartered Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society of India has designed a first-of-its-kind web application based on Android.
Dr Vinky Rughwani, president of Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Society of India, is set to launch the app ‘Free Blood match’ on Friday. He claimed that it’s the world’s first digital initiative capable of ending blood disorders of sickle cell and thalassaemia in the next few years.
“There are more than 5 crore people who are thalassaemia and sickle cell trait (carriers) in our country and less than 10% of them are aware about their genetic health profile. This app can be used by all those people. Through public awareness and this app, we can prevent birth of thalassaemia major and sickle cell disease child,” Dr Rughwani said.
The app already has a big database of sickle cell and thalassaemia tests. Individuals who tested themselves through Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society of India will automatically get their data attached to their registered mobile numbers and they can access it on this app for free. Those who are new but having the details of their genetic status can enter it in the app.
“Second part of the app is that we are providing a match-making tool. Youths in marriageable age groups can check their genetic make-up and avoid risk of their children being sickle cell anaemic or thalassaemia major,” Dr Rughwani said.
A user, once registered, will get detailed information about one’s thalassaemia and sickle cell status. Information will also be given about problems that may arise in future. Information will also be given about whom to marry or not. “Through this app, you can ensure that your future child will not be suffering from serious diseases of thalassaemia and sickle cell,” he said.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will launch the app at a hotel in Ramdaspeth. National President of Indian Medical Association Dr Sahajanand Parasad Singh will be the guest of honour.
