Maharashtra: Hemophilia Patients Face Crisis As Families Struggle With Shortage Of Life-Saving Injections And Blood

Mumbai: A severe shortage of life-saving injections crucial for hemophilia treatment, coupled with an ongoing blood scarcity, has left patients and their families in Maharashtra in a desperate situation. The Haemophilia Society (Mumbai) has appealed to the National Health Ministry and urged the state government to take immediate action.

“We have asked for improved access to life-saving treatments for hemophilia patients in the state. We met with the officer in charge of the blood cell department at the National Health Mission (NHM), who assured us that the best possible treatment will be provided to patients,” said Jigar Kotecha, secretary of the Haemophilia Society, Mumbai Chapter.

Jigar Kotecha emphasised the urgent need for a streamlined approach to hemophilia care, suggesting that comprehensive guidelines from the NHM could significantly improve the supply chain and procedural efficiency. He added that the shortage of haemophilia factors remains a pressing issue.

“Currently, only the Central government provides support, while state governments fail to allocate necessary funds. This imbalance poses significant challenges for patients relying on timely access to life-saving treatment,” Jigar Kotecha said.

Hemophilia, a rare bleeding disorder that impairs the body’s ability to form blood clots, requires consistent access to specific medications, such as Long Acting Factor VIII,Von Willebrand concentrate, Factor VII, Factor IX, Factor XIII, to prevent life-threatening bleeding episodes.

“Continuous supply of these factors will not only save lives but also prevent becoming handicapped, reducing the long-term burden on the government,” Kotecha added, stressing the importance of government intervention at both state and national levels.

The current scarcity has placed the lives of haemophilia patients at significant risk, with key (tertiary care) hospitals across the state struggling to provide necessary treatment. Meanwhile, the NHM said they are working to sort out the issue.

Published on: Thursday, November 28, 2024, 01:04 AM IST