<p>A day care centre in Chamarajpet has been providing medical care for thalassemia patients free of cost for over a decade. Called Samraksha, it is a part of Jayadev Memorial Rashtrotthana Hospital and Research Centre, and was set up in 2013. </p>.<p>“It was opened with just 19 patients. Today we have over 400, aged 9 months to 51 years. The centre remained open through the pandemic. Patients come to us from across India. Most of them are from underprivileged backgrounds. Managing thalassemia is draining both financially and mentally,” says Dr Shyla H N, medical administrator of the hospital. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Thalassemia is a condition where haemoglobin production is low. Patients require regular blood transfusions. “But because of this, their iron content goes up leading to other complications. To treat this, patients have to be given chelation therapy,” she explains. They also face complications such as bone deformity, enlarged spleen and retarded growth.</p>.Workshop on brain health in Bengaluru today .<p class="bodytext">Routine blood tests and investigations every three or six months are necessary. In some cases, bone marrow transplant is also given, apart from adjuvant homeopathic and ayurvedic treatments. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Apart from medical attention, the centre offers free food for patients who come in for transfusions, and family counselling and nutritional support. Accommodation for outstation patients is also provided.</p>
<p>A day care centre in Chamarajpet has been providing medical care for thalassemia patients free of cost for over a decade. Called Samraksha, it is a part of Jayadev Memorial Rashtrotthana Hospital and Research Centre, and was set up in 2013. </p>.<p>“It was opened with just 19 patients. Today we have over 400, aged 9 months to 51 years. The centre remained open through the pandemic. Patients come to us from across India. Most of them are from underprivileged backgrounds. Managing thalassemia is draining both financially and mentally,” says Dr Shyla H N, medical administrator of the hospital. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Thalassemia is a condition where haemoglobin production is low. Patients require regular blood transfusions. “But because of this, their iron content goes up leading to other complications. To treat this, patients have to be given chelation therapy,” she explains. They also face complications such as bone deformity, enlarged spleen and retarded growth.</p>.Workshop on brain health in Bengaluru today .<p class="bodytext">Routine blood tests and investigations every three or six months are necessary. In some cases, bone marrow transplant is also given, apart from adjuvant homeopathic and ayurvedic treatments. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Apart from medical attention, the centre offers free food for patients who come in for transfusions, and family counselling and nutritional support. Accommodation for outstation patients is also provided.</p>