Free HLA Testing Camp for Children with Thalassemia Held at KGH, Vizag
Over 55 families from north Andhra Pradesh enrolled for testing and specialist consultation
Visakhapatnam, February 12, 2026: A free high-resolution HLA testing and medical consultation camp for children diagnosed with thalassemia and sickle cell disease was organised at King George General Hospital (KGH), Visakhapatnam, on Wednesday. The camp was conducted by DKMS Foundation India in collaboration with MGM Cancer Institute, Chennai, and Saptha Foundation.
The initiative drew participation from over 55 families across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Paderu, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram. More than 200 cheek swab samples were collected from patients and their family members for free HLA typing, a crucial step in identifying suitable donors for stem cell transplantation. Families also received counselling and consultations from expert doctors on treatment options and transplant pathways.
The camp was organised under the guidance of paediatric transplant specialist Dr Deenadayalan Munirathnam of MGM Cancer Institute, with support from the Department of Paediatrics at KGH. DKMS Foundation supported the effort through its Access to Transplantation (ATT) Programme, which aims to reduce medical and financial barriers for patients requiring life-saving stem cell transplants. The DKMS Thalassemia Programme provides free HLA typing to improve access to timely transplantation.
“Thalassemia continues to be a major health challenge, with over 10,000 children born with the condition every year in India. Early stem cell transplantation offers the best chance of cure, and HLA typing is the first critical step,” Dr Munirathnam said.
Saptha Foundation Founder and Chairman Sarath Babu Voggu said community-level outreach and counselling were essential to reach families in low-awareness regions. “Free testing and structured guidance give families clarity and hope,” he said.
The collected samples will be sent to DKMS Life Science Laboratory in Germany for analysis at no cost to families, with results expected within six to eight weeks. DKMS Foundation India has so far registered over two lakh stem cell donors nationwide, helping more than 200 patients receive transplants.
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