Celebration of 24th International Thalassemia Day in CMCH

Ludhiana, May 8, 2015: The Department of Paediatrics & Unit of Transfusion Medicine in Collaboration with Punjab Thalassemics’ Welfare Society celebrated the 24th International Thalassemia Day in Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. The event was inaugurated by   their Chief Guest Rajat Aggarwal. During the welcome address, Dr. Jugesh Chhatwal, HOD Paediatrics informed the audience that the institute delivers comprehensive care for thalassemics from womb to well being.

Dr. A.G Thomas Director of the Institute appraised the august gathering about the scope of the services CMCH is rendering to this region since 120 years and said that this is the only Institution in North India with facilities for Bone Marrow Transplantation. RajatAggarwal promised to support CMCH in setting up the centre of excellence in Thalassemia care for the state of Punjab.

The other speakers were Dr. Atul Goel, Dr. KavitaBhatti, Dr. Ranjit Mashon, Dr. Joseph John and Dr. Praveen Sobti. The function was attended by a large number of thalassemic children and their families. Among the audience were many children who have been cured of the disease after undergoing bone marrow transplant in CMCH.       

The guest of honor was Rama Munjal, The President of Arpita Cancer Society Ludhiana who felicitated the thalassemic children. L.C. Gupta and Renu Gupta were conferred the award of honor. Rashmi Karwa President PTWS thanked all the doctors of CMCH for their efforts in caring for the thalassemics.

Among those who attended were Dr. William Bhatti, MS CMCH, doctors from DMCH, representatives of Rock Foundation and Zindagi Live.

The function was brought to a close by several thalassemic children giving a dance performance.  Medical students, interns, residents, faculty of CMCH donated 300 units of blood during the voluntary blood donation camp organized here today. Batch 2011 were awarded the trophy for maximum units of blood donated in 2014.