New Delhi: Match-making is an arduous process in India, with families often resorting to horoscopes and janam-kundli match for finding the most suitable life partner for their son/daughter. But, what if someone suggests matching the blood reports of bride and groom.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan’s advice on the need and importance of matching ‘rakt-kundli’ along with janam kundli has set the nation talking.
“Just like horoscopes are matched before marriage, blood screening reports of bride and groom should also be matched,” Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in Lok Sabha.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, a renowned doctor himself, said this while replying to a question on Thalassemia and how to prevent the hereditary diseases.
He said that matching ‘rakt-kundli’ should become a societal movement so that blood types of prospective couples are matched before marriage and they are saved from carrying on hereditary disease in their progenies.
Dr Vardhan informed that by matching their blood screening reports, the couples could ensure that their children do not become carriers of hereditary diseases including thalassemia.
Dr Vardhan’s comments are backed by scientific research and doctors also concur with this.
10,000 Thalassemia+ve children born in India every year
According to a report published in the International Journal of Biotechnology, around 10,000 infants are born with Thalassemia every year in India.
India has the largest number of children with thalassemia major in the world – about 1 to 1.5 lakhs.
Moreover, it is estimated that approximately 42 million people are silent carriers of B – thalassemia in our country, who run the risk of becoming parents to children with serious diseases and disorders.
What is Thalassemia?
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder in which a patient cannot make enough Red Blood Cells and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.
If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment. But more severe forms might require regular blood transfusions. You can take steps to cope with fatigue, such as choosing a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Thalassemia, a preventable blood disorder
Thalassemia is one of the inherited disorders of red blood cells and as per research, thalassemia is the commonest genetic disorder in India.
Because thalassemia is passed from parents to children, it is very hard to prevent. However, if you or your partner knows of family members with thalassemia, you can speak to a genetic counsellor.
