As Vadodara district will be getting its first Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS) under the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), efforts are being made to screen university students for genetic blood disorders including Thalassemia, Haemoglobinopathies and Sickle Cell Anaemia.

“One of our alumni has done extensive research work in the area. Screening has been a routine programme in other universities and it is very crucial. I am quite optimistic about the programme but we will put forward the proposal and finalise the details once we go through the procedure,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof Ramesh Goyal.

Sources said similar screening done by the IRCS in other universities and institutes have shown a 4 to 5 per cent prevalence of Thalassemia Minor and 0.05 per cent prevalence of Thalassemia Major. Of the 1,39,812 people screened in different parts of the state, over 2.44 per cent were found to have Beta Thalassemia traits. As per the data available with the IRCS, over 150 patients have been diagnosed with the disease in Vadodara.

“The only cure is to stop addition of more Thalassemia Major patients by spreading awareness. Those having traits of Thalassemia Minor should be warned about marrying people with similar traits. The college students are the primary group who should be given maximum attention,” said Dr Bhupendra Shah, convenor TSCS.

But a lacuna has been sensed on the part of the state government. Shobha Tuli, president of Indian Thalassemics, New Delhi, said: “I was quite disappointed with my visit to Gujarat this time. While the patients are being given full support for the treatment and blood transfusion in Jammu and Delhi, not much is being done here in Gujarat. Proposals were made to the state government last October, but there has been no follow up in it either.”