Four centres provide free treatment of Hemophilia: Maha to HC

Maharashtra Government today informed the Bombay High Court that it had opened up centres in Thane, Nashik, Kasara and Amravati to provide free treatment to people suffering from Haemophilia, a rare blood disorder.
Such centres would also come up in Pune and Mumbai shortly, additional Government Pleader G W Mattos told a division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah.
Pilot projects would be started in Wadia and King Edward Memorial Hospitals in Mumbai as well as in a hospital in Pune to provide free treatment in Haemophilia, Mattos said.
He further informed that initially the Government had decided to provide free treatment to people below the poverty line. However, it has now decided to provide free treatment to those having income up to Rs one lakh per annum, he said.

The court suggested the state government to expedite opening of centres in Mumbai and Pune.
Haemophilia is a rare disorder, in which blood lacks the ability to coagulate. Haemophilia predominantly shows up in males and afflicts 0.01 per cent of the population.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Haemophilia Society (Mumbai Chapter) and four persons afflicted with the disorder. The petition pointed out lack of comprehensive policy to diagnose and treat Haemophilia in the State. It also sought free medical aid to patients as the treatment costs Rs one lakh to Rs 7 lakh, depending on the type.

The government had earlier assured the court that gradually, in due course, free medicines would be provided in the entire state under Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Yojana.
The petitioners urged that the newborns should be screened to ensure early diagnosis of this blood disorder.
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka are already giving free medicines to Haemophilia patients, according to the PIL.
The matter will now be heard after five weeks.