On May 12, 2025, the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS), Hyderabad, commemorated World Thalassemia Day and International Nurses Day with great fervor and purpose. To mark this significant occasion, TSCS organized a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program titled “Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia – An Overview” specifically designed for nurses and lab technicians associated with the TSCS Antenatal Screening Project in the Medchal–Malkajgiri district of Telangana.
The CME aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of haemoglobin disorders among frontline healthcare providers, aligning with TSCS’s core mission to STOP THALASSEMIA through prevention and early detection. The session was attended by approximately 25 nurses and 15 lab technicians, including staff members from TSCS and healthcare professionals involved in the district-level screening initiatives.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Mrs. Ratnavali Kottapalli, a dedicated pillar of TSCS, who greeted the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in eradicating Thalassemia.
Dr. Suman Jain, Chief Medical and Research Officer and Secretary of TSCS, delivered an insightful presentation on the diagnosis and management of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia, underlining the critical role of early screening and regular follow-ups.
The Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Banoth Sathyavathi, MD (Anesthesia) and Deputy DM&HO of Medchal–Malkajgiri district, delivered the keynote address. She emphasized the importance of empowering nurses and lab technicians with knowledge about blood disorders and encouraged them to actively participate in TSCS’s prevention strategies.
Renowned Pediatric Oncologist Dr. V. Sandhya from Rainbow Children’s Hospital provided a clear and engaging explanation of the genetic basis of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia, while Dr. Mamatha, Research Scientist, elaborated on the patterns of inheritance and prevention strategies for these disorders.
A special moment of the event was the felicitation of Mrs. Priyadarshini, Senior Staff Nurse at TSCS, in recognition of her unwavering service and dedication to Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia patients for over two decades. All TSCS nurses were also honored with tokens of appreciation as a gesture of gratitude for their invaluable contribution to patient care and awareness efforts.
The event concluded on a powerful note, reiterating that antenatal screening remains a cornerstone in the prevention of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia, and that trained, informed healthcare providers are essential to achieving a future free from these inherited blood disorders.
