‘Lok Kalyan Diagnostics’ – an Initiative of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Lok Samasya Sanshodhan and Lok Kalyan Samiti. On May 1, Lok Kalyan Diagnostics launched an awareness campaign on sickle cell and thalassaemia. Under this campaign, it will provide personalised counselling to patients and conduct blood tests for 1 lakh citizens across Vidarbha, Maharashtra by October 2.
The initiative aims to elevate public understanding of these genetic blood disorders, strategically timed to coincide with World Thalassaemia Day on May 8.
This initiative is not merely for observing a ceremonial day but a step towards a continuous mass awareness campaign. While undertaking this initiative, an urgent need was realised to inform society on a large scale and make testing facilities accessible.
To treat, and guide patients in Bharat, a laboratory named Lok Kalyan Diagnostics has been established in Nagpur with the support of the Lok Kalyan Samiti. The objective and working methodology of Lok Kalyan Diagnostics is to offer free testing and treatment guidance particularly among the underprivileged in rural and tribal regions.
As part of this public health campaign, the Nagpur-based laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art systems, technologies, and staff for high-quality analysis of genetic disorders. A competent and trustworthy team of qualified doctors and experienced, trained staff has been formed for the laboratory’s functioning. Therefore, continuous guidance for diagnostics and necessary tests will always be available at the centre.
In the centre, testing services are provided at minimal charges, and the organisation also offers special discounts and relief to the economically weaker sections. The successful operation of the organisation is significantly benefiting the residents of Nagpur city and rural areas of Vidarbha. Through training programmes, social workers have also been connected to the institution to strengthen the awareness campaign.
The campaign was officially inaugurated on May 1. Dr Prashant Joshi (Director, AIIMS), Jai Prakash Dwivedi (CMD, WCL), Hemant Pandey (Director HR, WCL), social activist Dadaji Kothe, Dr Vijaykumar Tungar (Chairman, Lok Kalyan Diagnostics), and Dr Dilip Gupta (Chairman, Lok Kalyan Samiti) were present at the event.
Dr Prashant Joshi, Director of AIIMS, at the launch emphasised the institution’s commitment, stated, “AIIMS has established a dedicated sickle cell unit where patients receive free treatment. We are also on the verge of launching a new bone marrow laboratory, which will significantly enhance our diagnostic capabilities and patient support.”
JP Dwivedi, CMD of WCL, assured full cooperation, saying, “The public welfare committee can count on our complete support. A significant 60% of WCL’s CSR funds are specifically allocated to the healthcare sector, reflecting our commitment to the well-being of the community.”
Special Service Initiative
Lok Kalyan Diagnostics has taken a pledge to conduct blood tests for “prevention of haemoglobin-related genetic disorders” in every individual up to the age of 40.
Currently, Bharat has the highest number of thalassaemia major patients in the world, and it is the second most affected country annually in terms of potential sickle cell anaemia births. Therefore, a sensitive and robust public awareness campaign and impactful public participation are essential. With this, Lok Kalyan Diagnostics aims to eradicate these genetic disorders by 2047.
The continuous increase in the birth of sick children is significantly raising the economic burden on both society and the nation. What is more painful is that this disease is transmitted to the next generation due to the parents’ ignorance.
Blood testing for all haemoglobin disorders is necessary, including all abnormal haemoglobin variants. Testing for only sickle cell or only thalassaemia is not sufficient. Generally, carriers cannot be identified through physical symptoms; they can only be detected through blood tests. This laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, trained staff, and scientific methods for the analysis of genetic disorders.
In rural and tribal regions, the institution is working to provide testing and treatment guidance, especially among the underprivileged.
Service Spirit and Project ‘Sushruta’
- In April 2022, Lok Kalyan Diagnostics began its work through a haemoglobin camp
- Since January 2023, special camps for sickle cell and thalassaemia have been organised
- Initially, the lab did not have an HPLC machine and had to send samples outside, which made each test costly
- An appeal was made to society for financial support
- In March 2023, received an HPLC machine with the assistance of Vicco Laboratories
Significant amount of progress has been achieved since then. From April to June 2023, 2,000 citizens were tested by the lab. By March 2024, with special financial support from Western Coalfields, the target of testing 25,000 citizens was achieved. In June 2024, with special support from WCL, another 25,000 citizens were tested, completed by February 2025.
Till date, 58,393 individuals have been tested free of charge through 496 camps across 9 districts of Vidarbha:
- 87 per cent of the tested individuals are under 40 years of age
- A total of 3,459 carriers have been identified (carrier percentage – 5.93 per cent), affected by sickle cell, thalassaemia, and other haemoglobin disorders
- Among these, 2,254 are sickle cell carriers, and 1,130 are thalassaemia carriers
- Of the 496 camps it has organised till now, 256 were held in schools, 62 in slums, 32 in villages, 32 in hostels, 30 in temples, 8 in Vihars, 11 in ashram schools, and 50 in NGOs/banks/offices.
Tests were conducted not only in schools and colleges but also in institutions like Tribal Department Nagpur, Social Welfare Department, Police Training Centers Nagpur and Akola, Bharatiya Buddha Dhamma Gyan Sanstha Nagpur, Uttar Nagpur, Raisoni Education Foundation, Various educational institutions, K. Appaji Joshi Trust, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, Role Foundation Gadchiroli, and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
More than 500 camps saw the participation of such organisations. Lok Kalyan Diagnostics also released an awareness magazine on sickle cell and thalassaemia genetic disorders.
The goal of the Lok Kalyan Diagnostics is to complete testing of 1,00,000 citizens by October 2, 2025
Data Analysis, Counselling, and Experience
- Conducted an in-depth study of the current status of sickle cell and thalassaemia genetic disorders, classified by caste, gender, residence, and religion
- Conducted counselling through camps
- Work experience in tribal schools, district schools, and police training schools in Nagpur/Akola was highly inspiring
Appeal to the Government
- To issue guidelines for schools and educational institutions to support awareness and screening programmes
- To provide documentary support appealing to institutions for screening
- For long-term nationwide impact, screening test reports can be proposed as mandatory documents for all students’ admissions after Class 9 or 10 (as an official government directive)
- There is a need to establish screening labs for newborns, adolescents, pre-marriage, and pre-conception stages
