Srinagar, Feb 02: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today expressed anguish over the death of a 12 year old hemophiliac patient due to non-availability of medicine.
Shocked over the death, President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement to KNS, said that lack of life-saving medicine is criminal and those responsible for this should be held accountable.
The teenager was actively bleeding for last few days and he died in cold blood due to unavailability of clotting factor V111 (anti-hemophilia factor).
Scores of these patients have lost their lives and health authorities seem to be completely insensitive to this grave human issue.
In order to prevent their bleeding, prophylactic infusion of clotting factor on regular schedule is recommended rather than on-demand which involves treating bleeding episodes once they arise.
Studies have confirmed that there is substantial reduction in mortality of these patients from catastrophic bleeding like intracranial hemorrhage if their clotting levels are maintained.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
There are 270 diagnosed hemophilic patients in Kashmir and majority of them have permanent disabilities due to chronic bleeding into their joints.
Out of 90 screened hemophiliac patients, 45 have contracted hepatitis C, 4 hepatitis B and one HIV due to contaminated blood product which they receive on-demand during bleeding.
Depriving hemophilic patients of life-saving medicine is wanton disregard to human life.
Hemophilic patients in rest of the world live a normal life but in Kashmir they are dying due to lack of medicine which is painful.
These patients have no place to go as the only designated hemophilia center at SMHS hospitals lacks both infrastructure and expertise. (KNS)