Health Minister Niranjan Pujari inaugurates 64th Haematocon 2023

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government, which has pioneered free Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) for patients, is now planning to offer Haploidentical transplant at the BMT unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital, the premier government-run healthcare institution of the State. Haplo BMT is a revolutionary life-saving procedure as it enables transplant from half-matched donors. By this procedure, parents, children and other relatives like uncles, cousins and aunts, who would half match, can become donors.The BMT unit at SCBMCH has done over 100 BMT procedures till now. Inaugurating the Haematocon 2023, State Health and Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari said,”There is high prevalence of blood disorders in India, including anemia, hemoglobinopathies, blood cancer, and bleeding disorders. They put a huge burden on public health and the healthcare system.The conference will play a pivotal role in addressing critical blood disorders in the State and make healthcare accessible to the multitude of patients,” said Mr. Pujari. “There is a need for a comprehensive approach, encompassing targeted nutrition, improved healthcare access to tackle the problems. The importance of raising awareness about balanced nutrition and its impact on overall health is substantial,” said the Odisha Health Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Odisha’s Director of Medical Education Training Sachidananda Mohanty said the HaematologyDepartment of SCB Medical College is the second oldest haematology department in the country which started in 1972.”We have done autologous,matched siblings and matched unrelated donors. There is also a plan of Haplo in near future. The BMT procedures are absolutely free for patients and the cost is borne by State government,” said Prof Mohanty. Prof Tuphan Kanti Dolai, Secretary of ISHBT, gave a brief presentation about activities of the association and Indian College of Haematology, academic wing of ISHBT.”There will be plenty of knowledge enhancing activities during academic phase in workshops, the CME for post graduates and the nursing CME. To promote hematolgoy, this year the ICH is collaborating with FOGSI and also Indian College of Physicians. It will help all budding hematologists,” said Mr, Dolai. ISHBT Shanaz Khodaiji hailed the annual convention saying scientific sessions were of immense help for haematologists. “ISHBT is a small society because there are not so many haematologists in the country like gynaecologists and physicians. We are very cohesive society made of clinicians, pathologists, paediatricians, researchers and physicians,” said Dr Khodaiji. Prof V. P. Choudhary, a haematology luminary, was conferred with Lifetime Achievement for his contribution spanned over 45 years. Prof Tejinder Singh, dean of ICH, was presented ceremonial medallion in recognition of the tremendous achievement made by the college in furthering academic activities of ISHBT. Prof Upendra Nayak, former head of Department of Haematology, SCB Medical College, was also felicitated for his contribution to haematology. Haematocon2023 organising secretary Dr RK Jena and past president Dr HP Pati were present. The inauguration culminated with a one-of-its-kind Odissi dance performance by the troupe of internationally renowned danseuse Padmashri Aruna Ray. The dance drama depicted the journey of Haematology in India.

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