Kolkata, 17 November 2025: In a major effort toward enabling curative treatment for children living with thalassemia, Narayana Health, Bengaluru, is set to organise one of the largest multi-day HLA testing camps in Eastern India on 21 December 2025 in Kolkata. The initiative is being held in collaboration with DKMS, Thalassemia Max India, Col India, Federation of Blood Donor Organisations of India, and the West Bengal–Sikkim Territorial Marwari Youth Forum.
The camp—led by Dr. Sunil Bhat, Director & Head, Paediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation at Narayana Health City, Bengaluru—aims to screen over 500 thalassemia patients and their families to identify potential bone marrow donors.
Thalassemia continues to pose a significant public health challenge in India, with Eastern India recording some of the highest prevalence rates. While thousands of children rely on lifelong blood transfusions, bone marrow transplant remains the only curative treatment, offering them the possibility of a normal, healthy life.
“At Narayana Health, we believe a permanent cure is a fundamental right for every child,” said Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder & Chairman, Narayana Health. “Thalassemia does not just require management — it requires a solution. This large-scale HLA screening initiative reflects our commitment to making life-saving treatment accessible, affordable, and free of financial barriers.”
The camp is open to children under 12 years of age diagnosed with thalassemia. Narayana Health runs one of India’s most advanced Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) programs at its flagship centre in Bengaluru, having completed over 2,500 successful transplants to date—making it one of the country’s most reliable transplant hubs.
If an HLA-matched donor is identified during the camp, families will receive financial assistance to proceed with the next steps of the transplant process.
“Our aim is to pave the way for every child battling thalassemia,” said Dr. Sunil Bhat. “Early HLA testing and timely intervention can transform a child’s future. Through this camp, we hope to identify matched donors and accelerate access to curative treatment.”
The initiative is being executed in coordination with thalassemia centres across government medical colleges, blood banks, Red Cross units and multiple NGOs throughout West Bengal.
The HLA testing camp will take place at Narayana R.N. Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, on 21 December 2025.
For participation and referrals, families and centres may contact: +91 81470 52734.
