Thalassemia patients affected most
The police crackdown on people moving about during the lockdown hours that begin at 10 am led to some serious confusion and severe anxiety among Thalassemia patients in the city on Saturday.
According to the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society’s joint secretary Aleem Baig, the police stopped registered blood donors from reaching the treatment centre for donating blood, which in turn is the lifeline for thalassemia patients.
He said thalassemia patients require blood transfusions every 15 days without which their health deteriorates severely. “If the police stop the donors from coming here, then the lives of these young patients here will be in jeopardy.”
Baig said the Society had several times in the past represented to the Director General of Police to allow registered blood donors to travel during restricted periods and direct all commissioners and superintendents of police to allow such donors to help save the lives of thalassemia patients.
“Today, donors coming from Lingampally were stopped near Langer Houz and I appeal to city police commissioner Anjani Kumar to please allow donors with registered donor card issued by the Society to come and help save the lives of young patients,” he said.
Among those stopped were parents of six-year old V. Arvind of Karasgutti village, Sangareddy district, along with K. Balaraju of Lingampally. When Baig was informed about it, he rushed to the spot and convinced the cops that if blood was not transfused the boy would die, after which the police allowed the boy and the others proceed.