Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Prevention, Control & Research Program
Inspired by the principle of Humanity, Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat State Branch is working for the marginalized and needy population of Gujarat. IRCS Gujarat State Branch initiated this Project in 2004 aiming to make “Thalassemic free Gujarat“.
Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Prevention Programme of Gujarat Red Cross is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. National Headquarters and a number of Red Cross Branches in the country have taken note of the same and appreciated Gujarat Red Cross for its significant achievement. Thalassemia screening camp for college/school Programme.
School/college going Student Screening
- Over the years, we have been successfully conducting Thalassemia screening camps in Educational Institutions throughout the State with the active cooperation & participation of college/school Managements.
- More than 30 Universities covered in college/school Programme.
- More than 1000 colleges covered in college/school Programme.
- More than 24 lakh students covered in college/school Programme.
Community Screening.
Screening programs are an essential component of preventive strategies in countries that effectively reduce birth prevalence of beta Thalassemia. “Safe marriage” that is defined as a marriage. where at least one of the partners in a couple is not a carrier for Thalassemia.
Taking contingence of our Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Prevention Programme, the following communities have extended support.
- Leuwa Patidar Samaj – Surat and Chorasiya Taluka
- Lohana Mahajan Parishad – All Over Gujarat
- Kachchhi Bhanusali Sewa Samaj Kuchchh
- Valsad Bhanusali Sewa Samaj – Valsad
- Vapi Bhanusali Sewa Samaj – Vapi
- Kharwa Samaj – Porbandar
- Sindhi Samaj – Ahmedabad
Antenatal Screening and prenatal diagnosis.
Antenatal screening programme is aimed to screen antenatal women for Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia and other Hemoglobinopathies. In Antenatal screening programme from April 2010-March 2022 we have screened 7,86,627 antenatal women. The antenatal women who found to be carrier for Hemoglobinopathies were 40,010.
Till date, we have prevented more than 560 Thalassemia Major Children from taking Birth.
Care and support Programme for Thalassemia major & Sickle cell disease children.
Special 50% discount will be given to Thalassemia Major & Sickle Cell Disease Patient for Profile test.
The state of the Art of pathology laboratory.
- Indian red cross society, Gujarat state branch has started clinical pathology laboratory to provide quality service at affordable rate.
- Laboratory is accredited by NABL as per ISO 15189:2012 for quality.
Sickle Cell Prevention Programme
- Sickle Cell Anemia is a hereditary disorder. No permanent cure is available. No medicines are available. To prevent Sickle Cell Disease, it is mandatory to undergo Sickle Cell Screening before marriage. Sickle Cell Disease cannot be permanently cured but the life expectancy can be increased through proper treatment and monitoring the hemoglobin level.
- The Department of Health and Family Welfare of Govt. of Gujarat and Tribal Ministry had directed to carry out Sickle cell screening/Prevention programme in the tribal areas of 7 Districts namely Panchmahal, Dahod, Chhotaudepur, Bharuch, Narmada, Sabarkantha and Banaskantha