Haemophilia patients face shortage of clotting injections at MKCG

Berhampur: Over 150 registered haemophilia patients in Ganjam district are struggling due to a shortage of clotting-factor injections at MKCG Medical College and Hospital for the past two months.Most haemophilia patients depend on the day care centre at MKCG for regular doses of factor VIII and factor IX injections, required to prevent internal bleeding, joint damage and other serious complications.Patients from other southern Odisha districts also visit MKCG for treatment. On average, around 10 haemophilia patients come to the hospital daily, sources said. “Even minor injuries for such patients can be fatal if not treated immediately. Without factor VIII or IX, internal bleeding can become uncontrollable,” said private practitioner Subash Sahu.“Earlier, these expensive injections were supplied free of cost at MKCG. But factor IX injections have not been available for the last two months due to non-supply, forcing many patients to travel to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack or seek treatment in private hospitals,” said a patient from Bhanjanagar.MKCG superintendent Durga Madhab Satapathy admitted to the shortage, said, “There has been a short-supply of these medicines. We have written to the govt, who permitted local purchase to meet the demand. We will float a tender soon to ensure timely supply. The process may take around a fortnight. Until then, patients will be managed with the available stock.”