The tribal-populated A Konduru mandal in NTR district, already grappling with a high incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), is now facing a new health challenge. Recent field visits have uncovered multiple cases of genetic blood disorders, sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, among the local residents.
Field Visit Reveals Widespread Genetic Disorders
The Praja Arogya Vedika (PAV), during its field-level assessment, identified these diseases in several villages. The cases were reported from A Konduru, Cheemalapadu, Gollamandala, Komatikuntla, Polisettipadu, Vallampatla, Madhavaram, and Repudi villages within the mandal.
G Vijay Prakash, the PAV NTR district general secretary, provided details of the findings. A team led by Dr KVS Sai Prasad visited villages including Cheemalapadu, Krishnaraopalem, A Konduru, Chaitanya Nagar, and Polisettypadu. They detected a total of 20 cases of these genetic disorders among the inhabitants.
Breakdown of Cases and Patient Demographics
Out of the 20 identified individuals, nine were diagnosed with thalassemia and eleven with sickle cell anaemia. The patients represent a cross-section of the community, including middle-aged persons, youth, and children from both genders.
Vijay Prakash emphasized the genetic nature of these conditions. He stressed that early diagnosis and timely medical intervention are crucial for significantly improving life expectancy. He explained that these disorders often do not show clear symptoms and can only be reliably confirmed through specific blood tests.
Highlighting a major barrier to diagnosis, he noted that these blood tests typically cost around Rs 1,500, a significant sum for many in the region. To address this issue of affordability and access, the PAV, in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Pediatrics-Krishna district, will organise a free blood testing camp. This camp is scheduled to be held at the mandal parishad office on Sunday for the welfare of A Konduru residents.
Official Health Department Response
When contacted about the prevalence of these diseases in A Konduru, NTR District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) M Suhasini confirmed the department's awareness and action. She stated that the district medical and health department has been using test kits provided by the state government to screen the tribal population in the A Konduru region.
Samples that tested positive for sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia have been referred to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur for further investigation. Following the necessary medical tests, prescribed treatments such as blood transfusion and disease management protocols are being provided to the confirmed patients.
This dual burden of CKD and now genetic blood disorders presents a compounded public health concern for the A Konduru mandal, calling for sustained medical intervention and awareness campaigns.
