February 2016, Volume 6 Issue 2

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.

Bombay blood group donor’s meet

On 10th January 2016 we had the 5th Bombay blood group donor meet - the get together of the every special people who have the Bombay blood group. The meeting provides a unique opportunity for people with this rare blood group to come together and deliberate upon issues related to the donation, requests and management of Bombay blood group. The regular donors are happy to see each other and the volunteers who they interact with telephonically. It also enables the new members of the community to feel greater comfort in company of many people who share their blood group.

Curing thalassemia: How does bone marrow transplantation compare to gene therapy?

Dr. Lawrence Faulkner. Director Sankalp-People Tree Hospitals Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Bangalore, India and Medical Coordinator Cure2Children Foundation Florence, Italy. The ideal cure for thalassemia, or for any other genetic disorder, would be to selectively correct the faulty gene in the relevant cell type in a safe, effective and affordable way.

It’s 10/10 for our Bone Marrow Transplantions

21st January was a landmark day. It was the day when we discharged the 10th children from Sankalp-People Tree Center for Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation. The center which was inaugurated on 27th August 2015 has cured the first 10 children from thalassemia. All the children are doing well. We undertook the responsibility of offering a reliable, rational and affordable cure from thalassemia and we are happy to share that with 100% success in the first 10 transplants we have made firm progress.
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