Maharashtra to mandate pre-marital thalassemia testing
Maharashtra is planning to make thalassemia testing a must for couples before they get married, hoping to stop the spread of this genetic blood disorder.
Public Health Minister Meghana Bordikar shared the update in the state assembly, following a pilot in Parbhani that's now rolling out statewide.
Right now, around 12,860 people in Maharashtra are living with thalassemia.
Treatment centers to come up in every district
Thalassemia can lead to serious health problems if both parents carry the gene—there's a 1 in 4 chance their child could have a severe form.
The state also wants to set up treatment centers for thalassemia in every district soon.
In other health news, the assembly is looking into possible issues with cancer diagnostic van purchases after concerns about high costs and faulty equipment.