Content:
- Coal India’s Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
- New smart cage can smoothen cattle transport in India
Coal India’s Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana
Context:
- Coal India organized the event to commemorate the success of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY).
Relevance : GS 2(Health,Governance), GS 4(Ethics, Corporate Ethics)
What is Thalassemia?
- Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting hemoglobin production.
- It leads to abnormally low levels of hemoglobin, resulting in anemia.
- Inherited from both or one parent (autosomal recessive inheritance).
Types of Thalassemia
- Alpha Thalassemia
- Caused by mutations in alpha-globin genes.
- Ranges from mild to fatal (Hydrops Fetalis).
- Beta Thalassemia
- Caused by mutations in beta-globin genes.
- Subtypes:
- Thalassemia Minor (Carrier)
- Thalassemia Intermedia (Moderate)
- Thalassemia Major (Severe)
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pale or yellowish skin
- Delayed growth and development in children
- Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly)
- Bone deformities, especially in the face
Key Highlights of the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY)
- Flagship CSR initiative of CIL.
- Provides free bone marrow transplants (BMTs) to children suffering from thalassemia and aplastic anemia.
- Over 700 children have received life-saving transplants.
- Includes financial assistance up to₹10 lakh per child.
- Families relieved from major medical expenses, with most children now leading normal lives.
Government Vision & Support
- Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced “One State, One Hospital” plan for BMT under TBSY.
- Emphasized early screening, genetic counseling, and awareness as key for prevention.
- Called for patient-centric approaches and collaborative action toward a thalassemia-free India.
- TBSY described as a beacon of hope and model for humane, inclusive, and sustainable development.
Institutional Collaboration & Expansion
- Started with 4 hospitals, now expanded to 17 premier hospitals.
- Collaboration with Thalassemics India, Ministry of Health, and CIL-run hospitals.
- Online portal launched for real-time applications and monitoring.
- Outreach extended to rural areas via pamphlets, posters, and short films.
Other National-Level Government Initiatives
National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021
- Addresses rare diseases including thalassemia.
- Classifies diseases into 3 groups by treatment type/cost.
- Provides up to ₹20 lakh for one-time curative treatment (e.g., BMT).
- Promotes crowd–funding and CSR for support.
National Program for Control of Blood Disorders (NPCBD)
- Focuses on prevention, awareness, screening, and safe transfusions.
- Supports infrastructure and training for thalassemia care.
Global Thalassemia Facts
- Carrier Rate: ~5.2% globally; 300,000–400,000 affected births/year.
- Birth Incidence: 4.4 per 10,000 live births.
- Decline in Burden (1990–2021):
- Prevalence ↓ 19%
- Deaths ↓ from 12,000 to 5,897
- Mortality rate ↓ from 0.69 to 0.29 per 100,000
Thalassemia in India
- Carrier Prevalence: 3–4% (~30–40 million people)
- Affected Births: 10,000–15,000 children born with β-thalassemia major annually
- High-Risk Areas: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and tribal regions (up to 17% prevalence)
Conclusion
- TBSY stands as a model initiative where corporate responsibility aligns with national health goals.
- Demonstrates how public–private collaboration can address critical healthcare challenges.
- Reinforces the narrative of compassionate governance and inclusive development.
New smart cage can smoothen cattle transport in India
Key Issues in Traditional Cattle Transport
- Use of open, ill-fitted trucks lacking safety measures.
- High stress and injury rates among cattle during transit.
- Inefficient loading/unloading mechanisms.
- Violates animal welfare norms.
- Creates operational challenges for farmers and transporters.
- Legal Non-Compliance: Many transporters violate Rule 125E of the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, which mandates specific requirements for vehicles transporting livestock.
Relevance : GS 3(Technology) ,GS 4(Ethics)
Innovative Smart Cage Solution
- Developed by: Prof. Sandip S. Patil, Guru Gobind Singh College of Engineering & Research Centre, Nashik.
- Funded by: DST-SEED (Science for Equity, Empowerment, and Development).
- Design Features:
- Telescopic sliding to adjust cage size to various vehicles.
- Foldable ramp-cum-door for smooth loading/unloading and safety.
- Roller-assisted movement for easy alignment.
- Cross-link mesh for ventilation and durability.
- Reinforced metal frame for safety and strength.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) used to optimize airflow.
Advantages & Impacts
- Reduces cattle injuries and stress during transport.
- Complies with animal welfare laws—minimizing legal issues.
- Adaptable to double-storied configurations—ideal for larger loads.
- Cost-effective & scalable—suitable for small-scale rural farmers.
- Promotes humane livestock transport practices.
- Useful for dairies, Gaushalas, veterinary services, and short-distance livestock transport.
Implementation & Recognition
- Successfully tested in Ambad Village, Nashik.
- Recognized with two Indian patents (2024)—modular & double-storey variants.
- Aims for scale-up through CSR funding and community deployment.
Livestock Statistics in India (21st Livestock Census 2024)
- Total Livestock Population: 536.76 million, marking a 4.6% increase over the previous census in 2012.
- Cattle Population: 193.46 million, comprising:
- Buffalo Population: 109.85 million, showing a 1.1% increase over the previous census.
- Goat Population: 148.88 million
- Sheep Population: 74.26 million
- Poultry Population: 851.81 million, reflecting a 16.8% increase over the previous census.
Additional Dimensions :
- Technological Innovations: Implementing modular and adjustable cages with features like foldable ramps and improved ventilation can enhance animal safety during transit.
- Regulatory Enforcement: Strengthening the enforcement of existing laws and guidelines to ensure humane and legal transportation practices.
- Training and Awareness: Educating farmers and transporters about best practices in animal handling and transport to reduce stress and injuries.
- Infrastructure Development: Investing in better infrastructure, such as dedicated livestock transport vehicles and facilities, to facilitate safe and efficient movement.
- Research and Development: Encouraging studies on animal behavior during transport to inform the design of welfare-friendly transport systems.
