Haemoglobinopathies,such as Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are preventable but inherited disorders of red blood cells. These illnesses are chronic, life impairing and in some cases, life threatening and impose a heavy emotional and financial burden on families. Thalassemia requires lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, concurrently placing a heavy burden on our healthcare services.

India has the largest number of children with thalassemia major in the world – about 1 to 1.5 lakhs, and about 10,000 -15,000 babies with thalassemia major are born every year. Moreover, it is estimated that approximately 42 million people are silent carriers of B – thalassemia in our country, who run the risk of becoming parents to children with serious diseases if this disease is not detected before a family is planned.