Haemophilia patients want free treatment

Unhappy with the state government for not addressing issues concerning haemophiliacs, Rupal Panchal, founder of Mumbai-based Haemophilia Society Mumbai Chapter, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court two weeks ago.

The petitioners asked the state to provide day-care centres where haemophiliacs can be treated free of cost. “Patients are treated for free in Delhi. Why should we lag behind?” Panchal asked.
On an average, a haemophiliac pays anything between Rs4 lakh and Rs7 lakh a year for treatment.

A division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice NM Jamdar told the state government to file a reply.

“Over 95% of haemophiliacs in India do not know the cause of their recurring health concerns or disability. Of the existing 11,200 haemophiliacs in Maharashtra, only 2,500 exist on the registry of the State Blood Council,” Panchal added.