GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM

ORDERS BY THE GOVERNOR

HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION

The 8th September, 2022

THE ASSAM GAZETTE

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EXTRAORDINARY

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PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY

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Registered No.-768/97

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No. 639 Dispur, Thursday, 22nd September, 2022, 31st Bhadra, 1944 (S.E.)

No. HLA 518/2021/12.- The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Assam has launched

the “Thalassemia Support Scheme”- a health care initiative for children with Thalassemia. Under the aegis of this

scheme financial assistance and other support will be provided for treatment of children below 14 years of age,

diagnosed with Thalassemia.

Eligibility :

All children residing in Assam, who are below 14 years of age, with family income less than Rs. 5 Lakhs per

annum will be eligible for this scheme. However, in exceptional cases, the income limit may be relaxed after due

consideration at the highest level of authority.

Scope :

Considering the significant prevalence of Thalassemia and especially among under privileged population of

the state, the following support for comprehensive management of Thalassemia patients including diagnosis, follow

up tests, and treatment are proposed :

Main features of the Scheme:

1.

Testing for Haemoglobinopathy in children with significant and persistent Anaemia, especially those with

family history.

2.

The routine Serum Ferritin Test is to be provided under Chief Minister’s Free Diagnostic Scheme.

3.

Free 1 or 2 units of blood to be made available every month for the Thalassemia patients as per requirement.

4.

Iron Chelation Therapy, which is presently available only at Medical College & Hospitals, is to be made

available in District Civil Hospitals to the patients free of cost, under Free Drug Scheme. Drugs will be

provided by National Health Mission, Assam.

THE ASSAM GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

5.

Reserving 2 beds each in District Hospitals and 4 beds in Medical College & Hospitals to facilitate easy

and safe access to blood transfusion / chelation facilities for Thalassemia patients, during their routine visit,

as they are easily prone to infections.

6.

Financial assistance for Thalassemia patients, who require Bone Marrow Transplant, will be provided

under the Snehasparsha Scheme being implemented by National Health Mission, Assam as per suitability.

7.

Specialised Surgery/Splenectomy for those who are not fit for bone marrow transplant, to be made available

in all Medical Colleges Hospitals free of cost. The concerned medical college authority may submit the bills

to National Health Mission, Assam, for reimbursement under Snehasparsha scheme .

8.

Thalassemia Patient’s card will be provided to each patient. A portal for registration of Thalassemia patients

will be created by AMTRON or under Digital Health Mission or a separate central portal will be maintained

by Assam State Blood Transfusion Council (ASBTC) for registration of all Thalassemia patients and issuance

of patient card so as to ensure smooth follow up and blood transfusion.

9.

Transportation and Miscellaneous Assistance to the guardians of Thalassemia patients till a patient completes

14 (fourteen) years of age will be provided from Assam State Blood Transfusion Council. Financial assistance

of Rs 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) annually, to be provided on half yearly basis @ Rs. 5000/- (Rupees

five thousand) to the registered beneficiaries through Direct Bank Transfer.

10. Special Voluntary blood donation drives/camps will be conducted in Government/Government supported

blood centers regularly for catering to the blood requirement for Thalassemia patients. ASBTC already

provides a grant of Rs. 5000/- (Rupees five thousand) for each voluntary blood donation camp.

Thalassemia Support Committee:

The decisions regarding the scope of the scheme, admissibility and implementation of the scheme will be

taken by the Thalassemia Support Committee, consisting of the following members :

1.

Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department

---

Chairperson

2.

Mission Director, National Health Mission

---

Member

(or representative)

3.

Director of Health Services, Assam

---

Member

(or representative)

4.

Director, ASBTC (or representative)

---

Convenor

5.

Addl. Director of Medical Education, Assam

---

Member

6.

Principal cum Chief Superintendent GMCH

---

Member

7.

Superintendent, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital

---

Member Secretary

8.

Professor & HOD, Haematology, Gauhati Medical

---

Member

College & Hospital

9.

Blood Bank I/c, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital

---

Member

The Committee may appoint designated coordinators from each Medical College & Hospital and District

Hospitals for smooth implementation of the Scheme throughout the State.

AVINASH JOSHI,

Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam,

Health & Family Welfare Department.

GUWAHATI- Printed and published by the Director, Directorate of Printing & Stationery, Assam, Guwahati-21,

Extraodinary Gazette No. 1277-25+10-22-09-2022. (visit at- dpns.assam.gov.in)

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