Thalassemia Conclave 2024: Driving Change for a Thalassemia-Free India

The conclave was inaugurated by Mr. Deepak Chopra, President of Thalassemics India, and Dr. Naveen Nishchal, Founder Chairman of VOH, with a call to reflect on each other's contribution towards collaborative action. "This conclave is an attempt towards cutting across the thalassemia care treatment into critical blocks that could lead India towards its dream of becoming thalassemia-free," Mr. Chopra observed. According to Mrs. Shobha Tuli, Secretary of Thalassemics India, comprehensive action brings uniform treatment, awareness, and finally, a future free from the hoax of thalassemia major.

The dignitaries who lit the ceremonial lamp included **Dr. Vinod Paul** (NITI Aayog), **Sh. Saurabh Jain** (Ministry of Health), and **Maj. Gen. Atul Kotwal** (National Health Systems Resource Centre). Dr. Paul said more needs to be done to strengthen prevention and advanced treatment options. In his speech, Mr. Jain called for leveraging the technology to address key challenges such as high bone marrow transplantation costs.

The conclave was further augmented by a set of expert-led sessions. That the incisive interaction during this session on **"Thalassemia Management: Current Scenario and the Way Forward"** with **Dr. V.K. Khanna** and **Dr. Seema Kapoor** as chairpersons was aptly highlighted by **Dr. Tulika Seth**, AIIMS, with regard to management strategies for better patient care management. Another critical session on "Prevention of Thalassemia," under the stewardship of **Dr. Dipti Jain and Dr. Jyoti Kotwal hailed the need for effective screening and public awareness movements. State-specific models, including those of Maharashtra and Odisha, were presented by **Dr. Ranjeeth MC** and **Dr. R.K. Jena**. Much-needed critical issue-based discussions, led by **Dr. Amita Mahajan** and **Ms. Anubha Taneja Mukherjee**, comprised a national thalassemia registry, safe blood transfusions, and antenatal screening. Some of the other key speakers include **Dr. Reena Das** with or by NGO leaders advocated multi-sectoral approaches that allow for public policy interventions, medical innovation, and community engagement.

Basis the conclave's summary, **Dr. Sunil Bhat** reiterated the call for unification from among all stakeholders. **Mrs. Shobha Tuli** stated in her vote of thanks that innovative measures in screening and collective action against thalassemia were emphasized upon.

This conclave has reaffirmed its mission to make equal care accessible and bring us closer to a thalassemia-

free India.