Northeast Desk, 2nd September: The Assam government has initiated a comprehensive ten-day state-wide health screening programme targeting children with complex heart and blood-related disorders. Launched on Sunday, the programme aims to diagnose and provide treatment for conditions such as congenital heart diseases, leukemia, thalassemia, and other rare blood disorders.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the public via a Facebook Live session on Saturday, urged parents and guardians to bring their children, aged 0-14 years, to the nearest screening camps. He emphasized the critical importance of early detection and treatment of these serious health conditions in children, which can be life-saving.
The programme is being conducted across government medical colleges and hospitals throughout the state, ensuring that even the most remote regions have access to these essential health services. The screening camps will provide comprehensive diagnostic services to identify serious heart conditions, blood-related diseases, and other rare disorders requiring specialized care.
Chief Minister Sarma underscored the government’s commitment to providing necessary medical interventions, including surgeries, for children diagnosed with these conditions. “We will conduct screenings, and if surgeries are necessary, they will be performed either in Assam or abroad,” Sarma stated, highlighting the government’s resolve to ensure that no child is left untreated due to financial or logistical constraints.
A significant focus of the programme is on thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that can be fatal if left untreated. Sarma announced that the government would arrange and fully fund bone marrow transplants for thalassemia patients, covering costs ranging from ₹9 to ₹14 lakh. “For thalassemia patients, a bone marrow transplant can be life-saving, and we will ensure that these transplants are available to those in need,” he added.
In addition to addressing blood disorders, the screening programme will also focus on congenital heart diseases. The Chief Minister mentioned that children up to 18 years of age would be eligible for comprehensive care under this initiative. Surgeries required to correct heart defects will be conducted under various government schemes, either at government hospitals in Assam or at external facilities, depending on the complexity of the case.
The programme’s implementation will be facilitated by sessions scheduled at various government institutions across the state, ensuring that the maximum number of children benefit from this initiative. The government plans to closely monitor the progress of these camps to ensure that the healthcare needs of the children are adequately met.
This health screening initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Assam government to improve access to critical medical services for children. By focusing on early detection and intervention, the programme aims to reduce the long-term health burden on affected families and improve overall health outcomes for children across the state.
Chief Minister Sarma concluded his address by encouraging all families with eligible children to take full advantage of this opportunity. He reassured the public that the government is fully committed to providing all necessary care and support, ensuring that children with serious health conditions receive timely and effective treatment.
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