Doctors in India are urging early screening and genetic counseling to combat the country's significant thalassemia burden during International Thalassemia Awareness Day.

These efforts are critical because India is considered a global center for the disorder, where a lack of awareness among silent carriers can lead to a higher incidence of the disease in newborns.

Health professionals said beta-thalassemia is the most prevalent type of the disorder in the region [1]. They said the condition is a major public-health issue that requires a coordinated response to reduce the number of affected children [2].

Medical experts said millions of people in India may be silent carriers of the condition [1]. Because these carriers often show no symptoms, they may be unaware of their genetic status until they have children with the severe form of the blood disorder.

The call for action emphasizes the necessity of public awareness campaigns to encourage testing before marriage or pregnancy. Doctors said that genetic counseling provides a pathway to prevent the transmission of the disorder, and manage the health of those already living with the condition [1].

International Thalassemia Awareness Day serves as an annual platform for these professionals to advocate for better diagnostic infrastructure [1]. By increasing the accessibility of screenings, health officials said they aim to identify carriers and provide the necessary medical guidance to families across the country [2].

“Millions of people in India may be silent carriers of the condition.”

The push for systemic screening in India reflects a shift toward preventative hematology. By identifying silent carriers through genetic counseling, the healthcare system can move from treating symptomatic patients to reducing the overall birth rate of those with severe beta-thalassemia, potentially lowering the long-term strain on blood transfusion services.