Only 15 percent of haemophilia patients diagnosed in India

Only 15 percent of people in India suffering from haemophilia -- a genetic and life-threatening bleeding disorder -- have been identified while the remaining still lay undiagnosed, health experts said on Monday.

According to experts, there are about 16,000 registered patients suffering from haemophilia in the country.

However, they suspect that the number of people suffering with haemophilia in India could be seven times more.

"The burden of haemophilia lies undiagnosed to a great extent. There are about 16,000 registered patients in the country as of now, others remain undiagnosed," said Kanjaksha Ghosh, president of the Haemophilia Federation of India.

According to a study by the World Federation of Haemophilia (annual global survey), almost half of the world's haemophilia population lives in India and almost 70 percent of people with haemophilia do not have adequate knowledge or access to treatment.

Haemophilia is a genetic and life-threatening bleeding disorder. Even with a minor injury or cut, the blood of haemophilia patients does not clot normally due to the absence of clotting proteins called factors.

If care is not taken, recurrent and prolonged bleeding into joints and muscles can lead to permanent disability and bleeding from sensitive organs can even lead to death.

About management of the disease, Alok Srivastava, professor in the department of haematology at Christian Medical College, Vellore, said: "In Delhi, there are 2,000 registered patients suffering from haemophilia.

"Delhi is also witnessing cases coming from other states as they do not have basic facilities and management care in their region."

He said efforts were being taken to build more haemophilia care centres which would create effective mechanism for diagnosis, treatment and bringing timely comprehensive care for haemophiliacs within their reach.

"We are committed to provide accessible treatment and provide state-of-the-art facilities for patients," said Srivastava.

The experts were speaking at an event organised to mark World Haemophilia Day, inaugurated by BJP parliamentarian Meenakshi Lekhi.