Mandatory thalassemia test in Maharashtra: Couples to be tested before marriage; minister says rules to be framed soon
Minister of State, Public Health & Family Welfare, Maharashtra, Meghana Bordikar, said on Thursday that couples may soon need to get tested for thalassemia before marriage.
Responding to a demand by MLA Vikas Thakre during the question hour of the assembly, the minister said, "
'We will soon frame rules on making the test mandatory before marriage.'
She added that about 12,860 people in Maharashtra were currently living with thalassemia.
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the body's ability to produce haemoglobin and healthy red blood cells. 'If not diagnosed in time, it can affect the next generation,' the minister added.
The state has already started a thalassemia eradication campaign, beginning with a pilot in Parbhani district. That programme is now being expanded to other parts of the state.
Bordikar also said that thalassemia treatment centres would be set up in every district.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also discussed alleged irregularities in the purchase of cancer diagnostic vans by the public health department. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav raised the issue, and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed the vans were bought at nearly twice the price.
'The cost of one van should not exceed Rs 40 lakh. But they were bought at much higher rates. The equipment inside is worth around Rs 12 lakh,' Wadettiwar alleged. He also claimed some of the equipment in these vans was non-functional.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar directed that the inquiry report by the health department commissioner be presented before the end of the monsoon session, which concludes on July 18.
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