On World Haemophilia Day, observed every year on 17 April, institutions under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment organised a range of awareness initiatives across India. The focus was to spread knowledge on bleeding disorders and highlight the importance of equal care, especially for women and girls affected by such conditions.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), through its National Institutes and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs), led the campaign under this year’s theme: ‘Access for All: Women and Girls Bleed Too’. The message stresses the need for timely diagnosis and proper treatment for females who often remain undiagnosed or undertreated.
In Cuttack, the Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) hosted a special session aimed at healthcare professionals, students, and the public. The discussions focused on the basics of haemophilia, its symptoms, and the need for early intervention.
In Kolkata, the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD) conducted both an awareness programme and an online webinar. The Rehabilitation Nursing Department shared key information on how to recognise and prevent bleeding disorders. Around 130 participants, including patients and their caregivers, attended the event.
Sehore in Madhya Pradesh saw the National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR) engage the community with educational and cultural events, designed to inform people about haemophilia in a more inclusive manner.
The CRC in Nellore held a session for nursing students and arranged a blood donation camp in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross Society. The event drew participation from nearly 150 individuals including staff, teacher trainees, and parents of children with disabilities.
CRC Tripura ran an awareness programme where institute representatives discussed the condition in detail. Meanwhile, CRC Rajnandgaon contributed by organising a blood donation drive, and NIEPID’s regional centre in Navi Mumbai held an online discussion on care and rehabilitation approaches for those with haemophilia.
Centres in Davangere, Jaipur, and others under the DEPwD umbrella also joined in with similar events to mark the global health day.
These coordinated efforts underline the government’s ongoing push for inclusive healthcare awareness and stress the need for equal medical support for all, particularly those often overlooked in diagnostic systems
