The Hindu

Clotting factors 8 and 9 available in eight government hospitals 

• One vial costs around Rs. 2,500
• Over 500 people, mostly in Bangalore and Mangalore, benefiting
• Not many takers yet in North Karnataka

Bangalore, Mar 7: Shiva, a 25-year-old autorickshaw driver, stands out among the pack by his cautious driving and measured steps.

It is with good reason that he is so careful. He has haemophilia, a genetic bleeding disorder that usually occurs in males, for which treatment with clotting factors 8 and 9 is very expensive. So, every time he is on the road, Mr. Shiva is worried that some other vehicle will hit his and cause him bodily injury.

But over the past three months, although Shiva still continues to be cautious, his anxiety has come down and he is far more relaxed. The reason is that he is making use of the free treatment available to haemophiliacs from below the poverty line families at government hospitals.

Since December, the Government has been offering clotting factors 8 and 9, blood components essential for persons with haemophilia, at eight government hospitals, including K C General Hospital and Vani Vilas Hospital in the city, Chikateri General Hospital in Davangere, Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore, Government General Hospital in Gulbarga and K R Hospital in Mysore. Doctors at St. John's Hospital here trained doctors at these hospitals on treating haemophiliacs.

The State Government had initially sanctioned money to buy 700 vials of the clotting factors to be distributed to the hospitals. It has earmarked Rs. 1 crore over a five-year period for treatment. Over the past few months, over 500 persons, including 280 in Mangalore and 150 in Bangalore, have been making use of the free treatment.

"The free drugs are such a relief to persons with haemophilia as the clotting factors are really expensive. Some persons need more than a vial a week," says Ranjana Ramachander of the Bangalore chapter of the Haemophilia Federation of India. Each vial of the clotting factor costs around Rs. 2,500, and some patients require at least 20 shots a year. On a conservative estimate, if a haemophiliac bleeds once a month, it involves an expense of Rs. 5,000.

However, despite the availability of free treatment, there are not many takers for it in the government hospitals in North Karnataka.

Some of the vials from these hospitals have had to be sent to other hospitals because they were not being used, says a federation member.

Lack of awareness

Members say that lack of awareness about the problem and available treatments may be a reason for the poor response from districts in North Karnataka. "We are trying to set up more haemophilia chapters and spread the message," says Ramachander.