On December 3, the Federation of Indian Thalassemics, Hemophilia Federation, and NASCO hosted a webinar titled “Blood Disorders – The Invisible Disability” to highlight the often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals with blood disorders, in honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The webinar facilitated discussions among experts, advocates, and affected individuals about the hidden struggles of individuals with blood disorders, emphasizing the concept of “invisible disability.” Addressing the audience, Anuj Wadehra, Co-Founder, Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group,stated, “The exclusion of thalassemia from the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) mission is disheartening, and there is a compelling argument for its inclusion.”
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, discussed the challenges faced by blood disorder patients and shared initiatives like disability cards and education reservations. He assured patient groups of government’s efforts to implement benefits under the RPWD Act 2016. The webinar, featuring expert discussions, raised awareness about blood disorders, highlighting the joint efforts of advocacy groups to promote understanding, support, and inclusivity for those affected by these often overlooked health issues.
