July 15, 2011 - First Thalassaemia Day Care Centre in Navi Mumbai

A Thalassaemia Day Care Unit, the first of its kind in Navi Mumbai, was inaugurated at the NMMC General Hospital on 15th July 2011 by Shri Sandeep Naik, MLA by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Shri. Ramesh Shinde, Standing Committee Chairman, Shri. Vikram Shinde, Health Committee Chairman, Dr. Deepak Paropkari, Medical Officer Health – Navi Mumbai and Dr. Prashant Javade, the Hospital Medical Superintendent.  Also in attendance were representatives of Think Foundation and the Rotary Club of Millenium City, apart from doctors, nursing staff, thalassaemic children and their parents. 

The new Centre was the result of a proposal by Think Foundation to Dr. Javade, who responded positively. The administration of the Hospital, the Pediatric Department, the Blood Bank and the Health Committee Chairman have come together to accept and implement the proposal. Think Foundation was supported by the Rotary Club of Millenium City; and is grateful to the Rotary Club of Mumbai Lakers, the Mohotta family, Mr. Rajiv Sodhi, Chembond Chemicals, Onida India, Shri Ganpathi Constructions and the Youth Thalassaemic Alliance for their contribution to the establishment of the Centre.

Earlier, children had the option of getting attached to Day Care Centres in Mumbai for their regular blood transfusions. This meant having to put up with the inconvenience of congested public transport over large distances. The other option was to go through the process of getting admitted to hospitals in Navi Mumbai. In this case, the children were faced with uncertainty of availability of blood. The whole process, without a Day Care would mean that for each transfusion the child would have to be away from school for 2-3 days.

Today, at the new Centre, the children arrive at 9am and are finished with the entire process of transfusions by 2 pm. Since the transfusions are planned, arrangements for blood are made in advance by the Centre. Besides, the children get monitored for all their health parameters by the doctors in charge of the Day Care. With air-conditioning, television and other facilities, the Centre now provides comprehensive treatment in a comfortable environment at a place which is very close to the children’s residence.

The Centre is designed to cater to more than 50 children.