Diagnostics firm Transasia Bio-Medicals and the Parent’s Association Thalassemic Unit Trust (PATUT) conducted an awareness and blood screening camp for college students earlier this week, where a mobile application to connect patients with donors was also unveiled by the Vazirani Foundation
PATUT, a group of parents of thalassaemic children and honorary workers, organised the programmes in association with Transasia Bio-Medicals and Vazirani Foundation. On the occasion, Transasia introduced ERBA H360, a testing equipment customised to meet India’s need for quality and affordable diagnosis of thalassaemia, where people produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to store oxygen.
SAVIOUR, a first-of-its-kind blood donation app, which connects patients and donors, developed by Vazirani Foundation, was also unveiled at the event. The camp was attended by nearly 400 students of H.R. College and other nearby institutes. Transasia donated ERBA Mannheim, a fully automated haematology analyser to PATUT, and sponsored all the blood tests.
In the past two years, Transasia and PATUT have organised awareness and screening camps in many colleges across Mumbai, helping thousands of students understand their role in preventing thalassaemia.
“We have developed blood analysers that help in early detection for a number of fatal diseases that are a threat to not just the present, but also the future generations of this country. Our aim is to make India a healthy and happy, thalassaemia-free country,” said Suresh Vazirani, chairman, Transasia Bio-Medicals.
“Thalassaemia brings back memories of the last three decades of my association with PATUT. It’s impact has spread far and beyond,” said ghazal singer and honorary president of PATUT, Pankaj Udhas.
Actor and brand ambassador of Thalassemia India, Jackie Shroff, said it was unfortunate that many people are still not aware that they might have thalassaemia. “It is necessary to create awareness and reach out to the youth early,” he said.
Transasia focuses on creating social impact by providing innovative, affordable and sustainable medical equipment while PATUT is a non-profitable organisation that mobilises funds for Bone Marrow Transplant, a last resort for most thalassaemic children.
