AP Red Cross, Sankalp India Join Hands To Strengthen Care for Thalassaemia Children

Vijayawada: In a significant move to strengthen healthcare services for children affected by thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, the Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh State Branch, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sankalp India Foundation.

The MoU was formally signed by Sankalp India Foundation president Rajath Agarwal and AP Red Cross general secretary A.K. Parida, a retired IAS officer, in the presence of AP Red Cross chairman Y.D. Rama Rao. The partnership aims to establish a robust statewide network of thalassaemia and sickle cell day-care centres across Andhra Pradesh.

The collaboration seeks to enhance haemoglobinopathy care with a strong focus on early detection, prevention and sustained treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting children from economically weaker sections by improving access to quality medical services, regular blood transfusion support, counselling and long-term cure-oriented interventions.

Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries underlined the urgent need for structured and easily accessible care facilities for patients suffering from thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. They noted that the partnership would significantly strengthen the State’s medical support systems, including blood availability, awareness campaigns and counselling services for affected families.

Representatives of Sankalp India Foundation expressed happiness over the collaboration and said that working closely with the AP Red Cross would help ensure consistent blood support, preventive screening and comprehensive counselling for children and their families.

Several senior officials and medical professionals were present, including Dr Mohan Reddy, Sri Santhosh Hegde, Abhijith Iyengar (programme manager) and Smt Pushpa (regional manager) from Sankalp India Foundation, AP Red Cross vice-chairman P. Ramachandra Raju, treasurer Dr D. Sreehari Rao, state coordinator B.V.S. Kumar, and doctors Maganti Prasad and V. Sridevi, along with other office-bearers.