India is the world’s biggest provider of cheap and affordable medicines to developing world. Of course, most countries don't like that! This debate over global drug pricing one controversial issues between developed While poorer nations maintain they have a moral obligation make cheaper, generic drugs available their masses, pharmaceutical companies claim that profits reap are essential research.
On a busy day in a blood donation drive I was taking care of the pre-donation area. The room available for the camp was not very large so the registration and waiting area were organised in the corridor outside. A few donors patiently waited for their turn to donate while curious people walking across looked around.
While voluntary blood donation camps are improving in terms of their adherence to national and global standards are concerned, a major area which continues to remain neglected is that of donor counselling. Most blood banks do not have a trained counsellor to attend the drives and even those who take up the responsibility lack the necessary focus and skill. We share in this article the ethical and legal considerations in blood donor counseling as indicated in the Implementation Guidelines for Blood donor Counselling by World Health Organisation.
Prolonged blood transfusion therapy and anemia can cause cardiac problems. Cardiac problems contribute significantly to mortality and poor quality of life for thalassemia patients. Timely intervention can help prevent and manage cardiac complications and save the patient and the family from suffering and huge financial burden.Annual cardiac screening has been prescribed for all children with thalassemia major above the age of 12 years.
