Thalassemia Burden in India

• 05 Dec 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

Five children with thalassemia in Jharkhand tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) after receiving HIV-contaminated blood transfusions. 

What is Thalassemia? 

• Definition & Cause: Thalassemia is an inherited genetic disorder where the body produces insufficient hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, resulting in anemia and poorly functioning red blood cells. 
• Types of Thalassemia: 
  • Based on the Part of Hemoglobin Affected: 
    • Alpha Thalassemia: Caused by reduced or absent production of the alpha chain of hemoglobin. 
    • Beta Thalassemia: Caused by reduced or absent production of the beta chain of hemoglobin. 
    • Based on Severity: Trait/Minor (Mild or no symptoms; person is a carrier), Intermedia (may sometimes require transfusions), Major (requires regular blood transfusions, e.g., Cooley’s Anemia). 
    • Special Named Types: Constant Spring (type of alpha thalassemia), Cooley’s Anemia (beta thalassemia major) and Hemoglobin Bart Hydrops Fetalis (most severe alpha thalassemia). 
• Symptoms & Effects: Symptoms stem from anemia and include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.  
  • Severe cases can lead to complications like bone marrow expansion, skeletal deformities, enlarged spleen, and a compromised immune system. 
• Risk Factors: The primary risk factor is family history, as it is genetically inherited. It is more prevalent in individuals with ancestry from the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 
• Thalassemia Burden in India: India is often called the thalassemia capital of the world, with around 150,000 patients and about 12,000 new cases each year.  Thalassemia is classified as a disability under the RPwD Act, 2016, reflecting its serious and chronic impact. 
  • The beta thalassemia carrier rate is 3–4%, meaning 35–45 million people carry the gene that includes 8% tribal communities. 
• Thalassemia Control Initiative: 
  • Comprehensive Guidelines on Prevention and Control of Hemoglobinopathies (2016): Provides a detailed policy framework for managing Thalassemia Major and Non-Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (NTDT), covering treatment protocols, monitoring, and psychological support. 
  • National Health Mission (NHM): Provides states with funding for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, including Blood Banks, Day Care Centres, medicines, lab services, and staff training. 
  • Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY): A Coal India Limited (CIL) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative offering financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) to eligible patients at 17 empanelled hospitals. 
    • Phase II of this scheme (since 2021) also covers Aplastic Anemia. 
  • e-RaktKosh: It provides information on blood availability and blood banks, helping patients—like those with thalassemia—who need regular transfusions. 

Click Here to Read: Human Immunodeficiency Virus 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q. What is Thalassemia? 
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder causing insufficient hemoglobin, leading to anemia and poorly functioning red blood cells. 

Q. Which are the main types of Thalassemia? 
Alpha Thalassemia (low alpha chains) and Beta Thalassemia (low beta chains), with severity classified as trait, intermedia, or major. 

Q. Why is India considered a high-burden country for Thalassemia? 
India has ~150,000 patients, 12,000 new cases annually, and 3–4% beta thalassemia carrier rate, with prevalence in tribal and certain regional populations. 

Summary 

• The recent HIV transmission to five thalassemia patients in Jharkhand via blood transfusion highlights a severe failure in India's blood safety protocols. 
• India bears a massive thalassemia burden as the "world capital," with over 150,000 patients, 12,000 new cases annually, and a 3-4% carrier rate. 
• Government initiatives include the 2016 Hemoglobinopathies Guidelines, NHM funding for infrastructure, and the ₹10 lakh TBSY scheme for transplants. 
• The incident underscores a critical gap between policy and implementation, demanding urgent action on monitoring and safe transfusion practices. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)   

Q. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? (2013)

1. Chikungunya
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS 

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only   

(b) 2 and 3 only    

(c) 1 and 3 only   

(d) 1, 2 and 3   

Ans: (b)

Q. Which one of the following statements is not correct? (2019) 

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.    

(b) Hepatitis B unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.    

(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses arc several times more than those infected with HIV.    

(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.    

Ans: (b)

Q. With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2010) 

(a) The chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female  

(b) The chances of transmission are more if a person suffers from other sexually transmitted infections    

(c) An infected mother can transmit the infection to her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth and by breast feeding    

(d) The risk of contracting infection from transfusion of infected blood is much higher than an exposure to contaminated needle    

Ans: (a)

Q. Consider the following statements: (2010)

1. Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS   
2. Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only    

(b) 2 only    

(c) Both 1 and 2    

(d) Neither 1 nor 2    

Ans: (c)