Hemoglobinopathy care centre inaugurated at KGH
A specialised Haemoglobinopathy Comprehensive Care Centre (CoC), aimed at diagnosing and treating hereditary blood disorders prevalent among tribal communities in North Andhra, was inaugurated at King George Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam, on Monday by state Tribal Welfare and Women & Child Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani.
The centre, established at a cost of ₹3.77 crore with financial support from the Central government, will provide care for conditions including sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia — disorders whose high incidence in tribal belts, particularly in the Araku Parliamentary constituency, had been identified in earlier studies and prompted the setting up of this facility.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Sandhya Rani said that the decision to establish the CoC followed studies that documented the high burden of sickle cell anaemia in tribal regions of North Andhra. She noted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav had worked with the Union Ministry of Tribal Welfare to operationalise the project.
A newborn screening programme has been introduced at KGH under which all infants will be tested within 24 hours of birth for hereditary anaemia-related conditions, to enable early intervention and reduce complications and child mortality.
To support tribal patients navigating the hospital system, a dedicated Scheduled Tribes (ST) Cell has been created under the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). Two doctors posted at the cell will assist patients with treatment guidance and admission procedures. Medicines not stocked at KGH will be sourced through the ITDA, and eligible beneficiaries may also receive financial support from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Minister announced that a further ₹56 lakh requested for the upkeep and modernisation of the centre was pending approval and would be sanctioned shortly. She urged tribal residents from Palakonda, Rampachodavaram, and Polavaram to avail of the free blood screening services, clarifying that sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary condition and is not communicable.
Among those present at the inauguration were Vamsi Krishna Yadav, Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao, NTR Aarogyasri Trust Chairman Seethamraju Sudhakar, KGH Superintendent Vani, Andhra Medical College Principal Sandhya Rani, and senior officials from the state government.