However, little did he think that the very medical procedure at a hospital in Ludhiana would make his life more miserable. Medical examinations have revealed that Arshdeep Singh is infected with hepatitis C, a liver disorder, as he had received infected blood in the recent past. Singh is not a lone case. There are at least 29 other thalassaemic patients, including children, undergoing treatment for hepatitis C at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana.
Expensive treatment
Patients, hailing from Jalandhar, Moga, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Faridkot and Amritsar, had received infected blood from hospitals in various parts of the state leading to hepatitis C infection. Many of them find it hard to afford the treatment which costs up to Rs 2.5 lakh. Treatment of thalassaemia only requires around Rs 3,500 per month.
According to the Union Ministry of Health guidelines, it is mandatory to conduct hepatitis C tests on blood. A probe is likely to be ordered into the issue. Dr Praveen Sobti, in-charge of thalassemia department at DMCH, said around 30 thalassaemic patients who were given infected blood have tested positive for hepatitis C during the screening examination conducted at DMCH.
Since the treatment of hepatitis C is expensive, the hospital is seeking help from pharmaceutical companies. The Punjab Thalassaemia Welfare Society has also urged corporate players and NGOs to pitch in to help the patients.