Tripura has introduced advanced Emicizumab prophylaxis treatment for patients suffering from Haemophilia A, with the state government set to provide the therapy completely free of cost.
The initiative is expected to reduce treatment-related hardships, minimize the need for frequent injections and improve patients’ quality of life.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated the new treatment facility at a programme held at the auditorium of the Nursing College in the AGMC and IGM Complex in Agartala.
The Chief Minister symbolically administered an Emicizumab injection to a patient suffering from Haemophilia A, formally launching the service. Recalling his long career as a medical practitioner, Saha said administering an injection himself after a long time brought back memories of his earlier professional days.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the state government was working to expand healthcare infrastructure while ensuring greater access to specialist doctors and advanced medical services.
Recalling the challenges faced by haemophilia patients in the past, Dr. Saha said procuring Factor VIII from outside the state and maintaining it at the required temperature had been difficult, causing considerable inconvenience to patients and their families.
Having been associated with the Haemophilia Society for a long time, he said he had witnessed these difficulties closely. The introduction of Emicizumab would make treatment more convenient by reducing the frequency of injections, with the medicine administered at prescribed intervals under medical supervision.
Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. Haemophilia A is caused by a deficiency of clotting Factor VIII, while Haemophilia B results from a deficiency of Factor IX. Patients may experience prolonged bleeding following injuries, and bleeding can also occur internally. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are therefore essential.
According to the Chief Minister, Tripura currently has 97 registered patients with Haemophilia A and 13 with Haemophilia B. However, the actual number of people affected may be higher, as more comprehensive screening could identify additional cases.
The state government spends approximately Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore annually on the treatment of haemophilia patients. IGM Hospital has been designated as the nodal centre for the service, while steps are being taken to extend treatment facilities to district hospitals according to requirements, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for medical care.
Highlighting the government's broader healthcare initiatives, Saha said special emphasis was being placed on disease prevention, immunisation, nutrition and public health awareness.
He stated that Tripura achieved 100 per cent of its target under the measles-rubella vaccination programme conducted from August 10 to 25. Efforts are also underway to meet the prescribed targets under different phases of the 'MASKA' programme. In addition, initiatives involving albendazole, iron-folic acid supplementation and tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination are being implemented to protect the health of children and adolescents.
Health examinations have also been conducted for nearly 90,000 students from 125 schools under the Vidyajyoti scheme, he added.
The Chief Minister further outlined plans to strengthen advanced medical facilities across the state. These include initiatives to establish a medical college in a minority-concentrated area under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, plans for a private medical college in Dhalai district, and the expansion of super-speciality services at GBP Hospital and Medical College.
The government is also prioritising the development of de-addiction centres and rehabilitation services. Under the Chief Minister's Jan Arogya Yojana, eligible families are being provided cashless treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.
Dr. Saha said the expansion of advanced healthcare facilities within Tripura had reduced the need for patients to travel outside the state for specialised treatment.
“Prevention is better and less expensive than cure,” he said, stressing the need to increase public awareness, ensure early diagnosis and make advanced healthcare accessible to all.
He added that the state government was continuing its efforts to improve healthcare services as part of its commitment to building a healthier society and contributing to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Dr Sanjib Kumar Debbarma, chairman of the state-level technical committee on haemophilia, delivered the welcome address.
Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, Director of Health Services Dr Debashree Debbarma, IGM Hospital Superintendent Dr Nirmal Sarkar and Haemophilia Society nodal officer Dr Mrinal Das were among those present at the programme.