Digital Desk |
Ahmedabad, Nov 14 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday stressed the need for stronger coordination among medical experts, researchers, voluntary organisations and blood banks to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, including thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia and blood cancer.
Inaugurating the 67th National Conference of the Indian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (ISHBT), HEMATOCon-2026, in Ahmedabad, Patel said coordinated efforts are essential to help society combat serious blood-related diseases through early diagnosis, genetic counselling and research.
Describing the conference as more than a medical or academic event, he said: “It provided a platform to bring together knowledge, science, research and compassion for the protection of human life.”
He welcomed doctors, researchers and haematology specialists from India and abroad to the state and extended Diwali greetings.
“The role of doctors and specialists in the field of haematology is akin to that of angels for society,” Patel said, underlining their responsibility in helping people identify and tackle blood disorders at an early stage.
He also called for greater public participation in blood donation, describing it as an invaluable gift of life and the highest form of humanitarian service.
“Blood flowing through the human body is not merely a fluid, but an invaluable element that sustains the rhythm of life, energy and human existence,” he said, urging people to contribute to the cause.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, the Chief Minister said healthy citizens were the nation’s greatest asset.
“Disease prevention must receive as much attention as treatment to realise the principle of ‘Pehla Sukh Te Nirogi Kaya’ (the greatest happiness is a healthy body),” he added.
He cited initiatives such as natural farming, yoga and pranayama, Mission LiFE and the Fit India Movement, saying they encouraged healthier lifestyles and contributed to building a healthy society.
Patel said the state government is committed to providing quality healthcare and pointed to the state’s health coverage under Ayushman Bharat. “The state has added another Rs five lakh to the existing Rs five lakh coverage, taking the total health protection cover to Rs 10 lakh,” he said.
He also highlighted advances in bone marrow transplantation, stem cell therapy and immunotherapy, describing them as new avenues of hope for patients suffering from serious blood disorders.
Referring to the Centre’s e-RaktKosh digital platform, Patel said technology had made information about blood availability accessible through a single platform, helping patients and their families locate blood when required.
He added that “the state government is focusing on early diagnosis and screening of thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia, coordination between government and private blood banks to ensure the availability of safe blood, and the promotion of haematology research at medical colleges”.
The conference will cover developments in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, blood cancers, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapy, immunotherapy and precision medicine.
It also aims to increase public awareness about sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, haemophilia, anaemia, leukaemia, other blood cancers and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
More than 2,500 delegates, including leading haematologists, haemato-oncologists, medical oncologists, bone marrow transplant physicians, pathologists, researchers, faculty members and postgraduate students, are participating.
The delegates include medical professionals from India and countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, China and South Korea.
The conference also saw the unveiling of the organisation’s souvenir.
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