<p>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. <br /><br />Expensive treatment<br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /></p>
<p>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. <br /><br />Expensive treatment<br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /></p>
