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Bio-Rad organises seminar on thalassaemia

An international awareness seminar on thalassaemia organised by Bio-Rad Laboratories—a multinational manufacturer and distributor of life science research products and clinical diagnostics took place on March 15, 2008 in New Delhi, with participation from specialists and doctors from across the world. Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder and has large number of carriers in India.

The fifth international conference on thalassaemia saw speakers from some of the world renowned institutes taking part and addressing doctors, clinicians, pathologists amongst others on the subject. Speaking on the subject, Professor Dr PC Giordano, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands said, "A disorder like thalassaemia has no permanent cure, the only way one can prevent thalassaemia in the family is through testing." As per government estimates there are over 100,000 cases of thalassaemia major and nearly 30 million carriers of the thalassaemia gene in India. Besides thalassaemia, sickle cell and other haemoglobinopathies like HbE and HbD are found at a high incidence in certain parts of India.

Addressing the gathering, Dhiren Wagle, Country Manager, Bio-Rad Laboratories, said, "Seminars like these are of immense help not only to the medical fraternity in India, but also to public at large which is unaware of the damage and trauma that thalassaemia can cause."

The Indian perspective on the disorder was put forward by Professor Dr Manorama Bhargava, Head, Haemotology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. Bhargava said, "Antenatal check up could be the key to our fight against thalassaemia." She recommended strict enforcement of compulsory antenatal check up for women.