Sankalp News

Here are the latest news items from us.

Overall survival of individuals undergoing thalassemia management at our centers

An insight into the real problems that confront thalassemia management.

Since the beginning of this century, the availability of oral chelation therapy has enhanced to opportunity to improve overall survival and quality of life of patients suffering from thalassemia. However, are we adequately monitoring the overall survival associated with management of thalassemia? This is crucial because it may help identify the gaps in the delivery of healthcare to the patients.

What do we know about long-term outcomes of bone marrow transplantation for the cure of thalassemia?

- Dr. Lawrence Faulkner. Director Sankalp-People Tree Hospitals Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Bangalore, India and Medical Coordinator Cure2Children Foundation Florence, Italy.

The first bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for thalassemia was performed in 1980, since than over 4.000 have been done, so what do we know about people who have undergone BMT many years back?

Time for Collaboration and Cooperation

It’s just about a year since we decided to take a big step forward to work towards setting up of our bone marrow transplantation unit. In the month of February we completed the 15th transplant at our center. Larger number of patients are seeking care and management within our network of centers and the queue of patients waiting for transplantation is steadily increasing. Thalassemia poses an enormous challenge to the society and defeating it will require an equally large response. It’s time to build upon our initial success and experience.

Is skin branding a treatment for jaundice?

An age old practice which is harming children. - Dr Reshma Srinivas, Project Samraksha Skin branding is a traditional practice seen in villages to treat and prevent certain diseases even today. It is surprising that even in the 21st century modern era such inhumane and irrational practices can still be seen. Skin branding is administered by local healer who most commonly uses heated metal rod and inflicts 2 degree burns on various body parts (forehead, abdomen, arms, wrist, legs etc).

Follow-up on adverse events for donors

The care giving to donors does not end with the donation process. Since 2009 volunteers of Sankalp record details of adverse events in blood donation drives. A standard form which records donor contact details, complication details is filled and maintained digitally. The intention has always been to understand the reasons for such events and work on the gaps in delivering a safer blood donation drive. As a symbol of our concern, we follow up the very next day with such donors to understand if they are indeed in good health.