Haemoglobinopathies in India: estimates of blood requirements and treatment costs for the decade 2017-2026.

The Government of India is presently engaged in the implementation of a prevention and control programme for two major forms of haemoglobinopathies, thalassaemia major and sickle cell disease, with guidelines for their prevention and management formulated under the National Health Mission. Based on projections for the population up to the year 2026, the annual blood requirement for treatment will increase to 9.24 million units, together with an 86% increase in budgetary requirements which then would account for over 19% of the current National Health Budget. To avert a public health crisis there is an urgent need to fully implement the prevention programme for haemoglobinopathies.