Background

Thalassemia is a challenging genetic blood disorder that affects close to ten thousand children per year in India. The treatment for Thalassemia major patients, is carried out using blood transfusions, expenses for which, can pose a significant burden on patients and their families from low income households. While medical interventions help in providing relief to patients, the mental health implications of treatments (or even the experience of being Thalassemic) is an aspect of public health that must be considered in the Indian context.

This includes a dedicated focus on mental health outreach programs, training in the science and art of empathetic caregiving, and encouraging a sense of self-empowerment for the affected population. Parallelly, there is a need for increased awareness programs around the disease itself, and the ways in which support can be fostered and amplified. At the same time, examining the public health infrastructure in the Indian subcontinent reveals the need for an effective supplement and medicine distribution system.

This must also be considered within the context of the economic disparity across rural and urban regions, which can be a major variable in determining the course of action for targeted interventions and approaches for individuals with thalassemia. These are, ultimately, the concerns that continue to inform The Iron Bridge Initiative’s vision and organization in a structured and solutions driven manner.