Mumbai, Jul 3 (PTI) - Maharashtra is poised to formulate regulations mandating thalassemia testing for individuals prior to marriage. This move is a segment of a larger endeavor to eliminate the disease, as announced by Minister Meghana Bordikar in the state assembly on Thursday.
Addressing a query posed by MLA Vikas Thakre during the Question Hour, the Minister of State for Public Health disclosed that approximately 12,860 individuals in Maharashtra are currently affected by thalassemia.
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder inhibiting the production of hemoglobin and healthy red blood cells.
In response to Thakre's appeal for mandatory pre-marital thalassemia testing, Bordikar stated, "We will soon establish rules to make the test compulsory before marriage." She emphasized, "This genetic disorder is severe, and if undetected timely, it risks being transmitted to future generations. We have initiated a thalassemia eradication campaign, which began as a pilot project in Parbhani and is now being scaled across the state."
Additionally, she confirmed the establishment of thalassemia treatment centers in every district.
The minister also informed the assembly about an ongoing investigation by the health department commissioner into alleged misconduct in the procurement of cancer diagnostic vans.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar mandated the presentation of the inquiry report in the assembly before the session concluded.
The principal query was raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, who claimed the vans were purchased at inflated costs.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged anomalies in the acquisition of cancer diagnostic vans by the state public health department, demanding the presentation of the inquiry report before the session's conclusion.
The state government secured eight cancer diagnostic vans, but Wadettiwar alleged these were procured at unduly escalated costs.
"The price of one van should not surpass Rs 40 lakh, with the diagnostic equipment valued at no more than Rs 12 lakh. Nevertheless, the vans were acquired at considerably higher rates, suggesting potential corruption," he remarked.
He further noted some equipment on these vans was non-operational.
"This is a grave issue involving a critical illness like cancer. Although the inquiry is underway, no report has yet been tendered," Wadettiwar insisted.
Wadettiwar requested the completion of the investigation and submission of the report to the assembly before the current monsoon session ends.
In response to the demand, the speaker instructed the investigation be accelerated and the report submitted to the assembly before the session's conclusion.
The monsoon session of the state legislature will conclude on July 18.
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