‘All hemophiliacs, not just BPL groups, need free drugs’

Bengaluru: It has been over nine months since hemophiliacs in the city have not received their medicines as promised by the state government. Since 2005, the state government has been providing Anti Hemophilic Factors (AHF) free of cost through government hospitals to below poverty line patients.

“Karnataka was the first to start the programme, but it is now lagging behind,” said Premroop Alva, General Secretary, Hemophilia Society Bangalore Chapter. Apart from irregular supply of medicines, the government is also sidelining those patients who are above poverty line but are from low income group.

“These patients are struggling as the cost of medicines varies from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per injection depending on their body weight. The injection stays in the body for eight hours. The government should widen the beneficiary base and cover others in need of the medication,” said Premroop.

The Hemophilia Society of Bangalore has 800 patients and 2,000 people have been identified as hemophiliacs in the state. But it is estimated that the state has around 6,000 hemophiliacs, who require attention.

“The government should not differentiate in the treatment of hemophiliacs as the average annual cost of treatment is Rs 3 lakh without trauma,” said Premroop.
Free Anti Hemophilia Factors are currently being provided for all the affected people in 14 states in the country.