Samples collected through field centres under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme are also being tested. Special cold-chain protocols are being followed at the laboratory to preserve sample quality from remote tribal areas— Internet

VISAKHAPATNAM: The specialised Centre of Competence (CoC) laboratory opened in May 2026 at the King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam has detected genetic haemoglobin disorders in 94 of the 121 blood samples it has tested so far. A first of its kind in the state, the lab is functioning as the regional diagnostic centre for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts. It provides testing, genetic counselling, and clinical management services free of cost. Of the 121 samples tested at the CoC, 33 are positive for sickle cell trait (HbAS), while 23 carry the homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS). Thalassemia has been detected in 10 samples and thalassemia major in six. Another six samples show sickle cell-thalassemia combination. Rare haemoglobin variants, such as HbD, HbC, and HbE have been detected in two samples. Overall, 77.7 per cent of the samples tested show either genetic haemoglobin variants or carrier status. The specialised KGH laboratory uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis, and variant newborn screening. So far, 70 samples have been tested through HPLC, 49 through capillary electrophoresis, and two through variant newborn screening. Blood samples are being referred to the CoC from KGH, government medical college hospitals, district and area hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres, and special tribal health centres. Samples collected through field centres under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme are also being tested. Special cold-chain protocols are being followed at the laboratory to preserve sample quality from remote tribal areas. Samples are collected in EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) tubes and transported in cold boxes at 2–8°C temperature. On arrival, patient details, sample quantity, temperature records, and sample quality are verified before testing.

The initiative at KGH includes treatment and long-term monitoring by various departments of the hospital. The Paediatrics department is managing children with sickle cell disease and thalassemia major, involving blood transfusions, hydroxyurea and folic acid therapy, and vaccination monitoring. Six active cases have been managed in June and three more during July and August. The general medicine department is monitoring adult patients, while Obstetrics and Gynaecology department is screening for high-risk pregnancies, genetic counselling for carrier couples and management of pregnancies affected by inherited anaemia. Infrastructure worth ₹2.85 crore has been established at the centre, with ₹16.93 lakh allocated annually for maintenance, and ₹45.54 lakh for reagents and testing kits.

KGH superintendent E. Vani said all diagnostic tests, genetic counselling and clinical management services are being provided completely free of cost. Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the government is focusing on expanding advanced screening and treatment facilities in tribal areas. He underlined that early detection and genetic counselling could help provide timely treatment and reduce the impact of inherited disorders on future generations

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