Jaipur, June 21, 2025: Taking a significant step towards addressing two of the country’s critical healthcare challenges—thalassemia and aplastic anemia—Medanta - The Medicity, ranked as the Best Private Hospital in India by Newsweek for six consecutive years, conducted an awareness session in Jaipur. The session, conducted in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, highlighted the latest advancements in treatment for these conditions. Led by Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav, Director of Pediatrics Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Medanta, Gurugram, the initiative focused on educating pediatricians, medical students, young doctors, and physicians about the life-saving potential of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) as a treatment for thalassemia, aplastic anemia, and other blood disorders in children.

Both thalassemia and aplastic anemia are serious pediatric blood disorders with far-reaching health consequences. Thalassemia, a genetic disorder that impairs red blood cell production, requires lifelong blood transfusions. Aplastic anemia, though rarer, is equally serious, causing the bone marrow to stop producing enough blood cells, resulting in fatigue, vulnerability to infections, and an increased risk of bleeding. India faces a significant burden of both conditions. Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 children are born in India with thalassemia major, with Rajasthan—particularly its tribal populations—reporting a high prevalence.[1] Nationwide, approximately 20,000 new cases of aplastic anemia are diagnosed annually.[2] The condition is the second most common cause of pancytopenia in Rajasthan, accounting for 23% of cases, followed by hepatitis B at 16%.[3] For many families, limited awareness, delayed diagnosis, and restricted access to treatments like bone marrow transplant (BMT) or immunosuppressive therapy remain major challenges.[4]However, advancements such as Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and emerging gene therapies offer hope, potentially reducing the need for lifelong transfusions in thalassemia and providing curative options for aplastic anaemia.

Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav, Director, Paediatric Hemato Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Medanta, Gurugram, emphasized the importance of awareness and access. He said, “Blood disorders like thalassemia and aplastic anemia are not just medical challenges but also emotional and financial burdens on families. Bone Marrow Transplant offers a life-changing cure, but many children remain undiagnosed or untreated due to a lack of awareness and resources. At Medanta, we are determined to change this by reaching out to communities, educating healthcare professionals, and providing accessible, world-class care. Every child deserves the chance to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, and initiatives like these are steps toward that goal.”

Dr. Yadav further emphasized the need for doctors, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public to work together in raising awareness, dispelling myths, and creating a supportive environment for bone marrow transplants. Through these collective efforts, we can save countless lives and significantly improve the health outcomes for thousands of children affected by thalassemia and leukemia. 

This initiative in Jaipur is a part of Medanta’s collaboration with Coal India under the ‘Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana,’ a program that provides financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh for BMT procedures for underprivileged children. This partnership highlights Medanta’s dedication to making advanced treatments accessible and affordable, ensuring that life-saving care reaches those who need it most.

[1] Chavan, V. (2024, March 27). Tackling Thalassemia: Transformation through Collaboration. ETHealthworld.com. https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/tackling-thalassemia-transformation-through-collaboration/108797490#:~:text=India%20has%20the%20highest%20count,thalassemia%20major%20in%20the%20country
[2] Chavan, V. (2024, March 27). Tackling Thalassemia: Transformation through Collaboration. ETHealthworld.com. https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/tackling-thalassemia-transformation-through-collaboration/108797490#:~:text=India%20has%20the%20highest%20count,thalassemia%20major%20in%20the%20country
[3] http://impactfactor.org/PDF/IJPCR/17/IJPCR,Vol17,Issue1,Article134.pdf
[4] https://www.medindia.net/news/high-aplastic-anemia-cases-in-india-reported-in-india-215137-1.htm#google_vignette