Hyderabad: Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha flagged off a thalassemia awareness walk in Hyderabad on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day.
The Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society organised the awareness walk at HMDA Grounds near IMAX.
The minister participated in the programme along with thalassemia patients, family members, doctors and youth.
Damodar Rajanarsimha said the programme aimed to create awareness about thalassemia, sickle cell disease and other genetic blood disorders.
The minister appreciated the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society for supporting patients and their families.
He stated that no child should suffer because of a lack of awareness, a delayed diagnosis or absence of treatment.
Thalassemia awareness drive focuses on prevention and treatment
Damodar Rajanarsimha said thalassemia was a genetic disorder passed from parents to children and not a contagious disease.
He warned that marriages among close relatives increased the risk of such disorders.
The minister advised youth to undergo screening before marriage and stressed awareness among newly married couples.
He announced that the government was preparing a special screening programme to identify thalassemia and other genetic disorders at an early stage.
According to the minister, the state has already conducted screening for nearly 11 lakh people for sickle cell disease.
He said the government was providing free treatment and medicines to diagnosed patients in government hospitals.
Damodar Rajanarsimha stated that thalassemia patients required regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy.
He also noted that severe cases might require bone marrow transplantation, which imposed a heavy financial burden on families.
The minister said advanced treatment facilities, including bone marrow transplants, were available at NIMS in Hyderabad.
He further announced plans to establish a Hemoglobinopathies Centre of Excellence at Warangal Super Speciality Hospital.
Day-care centres for thalassemia patients are already functioning in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Warangal and Khammam districts.
Officials are also expanding the services to Asifabad, Mancherial and Karimnagar districts.
The minister said the government aimed to make Telangana the country’s first thalassemia-free state through awareness, screening and quality healthcare.
వరల్డ్ తలసేమియా డే సందర్భంగా తలసేమియా, సికిల్సెల్ సొసైటీ ఆధ్వర్యంలో నిర్వహించిన తలసేమియా అవేర్నెస్ వాక్ను ఐమ్యాక్స్ పక్కనున్న హెచ్ఎండీఏ గ్రౌండ్స్ వద్ద ఆరోగ్యశాఖ మంత్రి దామోదర్ రాజనర్సింహ జెండా ఊపి ప్రారంభించారు.
తలసేమియా పేషెంట్లు, వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులు, డాక్టర్లు, యువతతో… pic.twitter.com/1a4eZi0OWc
— Damodar Raja Narasimha (@DamodarCilarapu) May 8, 2026