Genetic diseases wreak havoc in Khammam

Khammam: Seventy-nine students are suffering from sickle cell anaemia and eight are suffering from thalassemia in Bhadrachalam.

As part of a pilot project carried out by medical experts, 4,900 students from 27 educational institutions in the limits of Bhadrachalam ITDA were tested.

There are 92 high schools, seven colleges and 13 residential schools in ITDA in Bhadrachalam limits where 34,606 students are studying. Blood samples of the students have been sent for testing in Khammam and also Hyderabad laboratories.

Mr Ratnavali Kotapalli, founder of Thalassemia Society in Hyderabad said, “Studies which have shown that those who suffer from sickle cell anemia are malaria resistant. This is because their genes develop resistance towards the disease. There is no absolute conclusion on the same but it is one of the factors.”

Similarly, the increase in number of cases could be because of marriages within the same family. Dr H. Kishan, a senior general physician said, “Marriages in these belts are within the same family which could be one of the reasons for both these diseases. The disease is genetic in nature and is inherited. Thalassemia is a form of autosomal recessive blood disorder due to which the red cells get destroyed. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia where the red blood cells are not healthy and they can’t carry adequate oxygen throughout the body.”

There are a total of 2000 children registered with the Thalassemia Society in Hyderabad for blood transfusions, which are frequently required for these patients. The society provides care, education and other support to the family members to deal with the disease.

The current figures in the tribal area are just the tip of the iceberg as doctors state that results of all the samples of 28,500 students will give a clear picture of the exact prevalence in the region.