Baby Anshu Timsina from Nepal finds the Best Line of Treatment for Thalassemia Minor in India at Medanta Hospital

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by abnormal haemoglobin production. Thalassemia minor means that you don’t have well-formed red blood cells and so you logically have a shortage of healthy red blood cells. It’s also more difficult for your red blood cells to transport enough oxygen to your organs, which makes you feel tired.

For 2-year-old baby Anshu Timsina, this diagnosis came about when she was an infant. As a baby, she would often remain pale, tired and refused to eat properly – her concerned parents got a blood test which revealed that she was anaemic. Her doctor prescribed iron supplements, unfortunately, the iron tablets almost always made her feel ill. Fortunately, for the family, Anshu’s doctor quickly discovered that she had Thalassemia minor.

Thalassemia is a daunting disease and for Anshu’s parents not knowing what they were up against made this battle even more difficult. For close to six months, they went from pillar to post trying to look for a viable treatment for Anshu, however, after every doctor’s visit they would return home disappointed.  Nonetheless, every doctor they visited suggested they should get Anshu treated in India. Out of options, the family finally decided to heed the doctors’ advice and subsequently began looking for hospitals in India. Their search online led them to Vaidam.com.

Speaking to their Vaidam Case Manager (Dr. Savin Yadav), Anshu’s parents explained her symptoms and her history starting from Anshu’s first doctor’s visit. After listening to their case carefully, Dr Yadav presented a number of optional treatments for Anshu’s parents to choose from. These included some of India’s top medical facilities and Thalassemia specialist. After going through their options for best hematology hospitals in India, the family decided to go with Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon.

Arriving in New Delhi on the 19th of July, the family awaited their appointment with Director of Paediatric Haemato Oncology, Dr. Satya Prakash Yadav. In the meanwhile, their case manager had their medical reports and tests sent over to Dr. Yadav’s office. On the first day of consultation, Dr. Yadav conducted a full check-up of Anshu; he also ordered a number of investigations including a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to identify the Thalassemia and a number of blood investigations. The doctor also prescribed a new round of medication that Anshu would be henceforth required to take.

After almost a week under observation, Dr. Yadav, one of the best hematologist in India, could see signs of improvement, he said: “We have been able to control her Anemia and improved her appetite. We have stopped the iron for the time being, to see how she reacts just with sufficient intake of food. This illness may not be eradicated completely, but I think it’s something that can be controlled with sufficient diet and the right medication.”

After a week in India, the family returned to their home country, pleased with the improvements in Anshu’s conditions. Now more than ever determined to see Anshu better and leading a full life ahead, the family is determined to carry on the advice given by Dr Yadav and the medication prescribed.

Vaidam wishes Anshu a healthy and happy life ahead with fewer doctors’ visits and more time in the playground.