Project MUKTA : Thalassemia Free India
Dear FOGSIans,
As the President of FOGSI, it is my privilege to lead an organization dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of women and children across our nation. Today, I am writing to you with immense pride and a call to action regarding a critical public health issue: Thalassemia.
India is unfortunately the Thalassemia capital of the world. Every year, India adds 10,000 – 15,000 Thalassemia Major patients. Thalassemia, a severe genetic blood disorder, poses a significant health burden in India. The fact that Thalassemia is completely preventable but we still see so many patients every year highlights the urgent need for a concerted and collaborative effort to prevent this condition.
In this spirit, I am incredibly proud to introduce to you Project MUKTA – a groundbreaking initiative by FOGSI to combat Thalassemia. The name MUKTA, which means “liberated” in Sanskrit, perfectly encapsulates our vision: to free India from the burden of Thalassemia.
Project MUKTA is a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach focused on prevention of and awareness about Thalassemia. Our core belief is that by empowering you, our members, with the knowledge and tools to identify carriers and provide timely counseling, we can dramatically reduce the incidence of Thalassemia in the next generation.
Since the inception of this project in April 2025, we have:
- Worked with a panel of FOGSI experts to create Good Clinical Practice Recommendations (GCPR) for Universal Antenatal Thalassemia Screening, Prevention, and Diagnosis in India.
- Conducted a meeting of master trainers on 21st August where we sought feedback on technical materials and discussed key levers of success for Project MUKTA’s rollout.
Project MUKTA is more than just a project. A future where no child has to suffer from this preventable disease, and no family has to endure the immense emotional and financial burden it brings. This is a dream that we, as the leading community of obstetricians and gynecologists, have the power to turn into reality.
I have unwavering faith in your commitment and expertise. Your active participation in Project MUKTA is not just a professional responsibility but a profound act of service to our society.
Let us work together to build a healthier, brighter future for our children and ensure zero Thalassemia births.
With Warm Regards,
Dr. Sunita Tandulwadkar
President FOGSI
Project MUKTA – Brochure
Resources
The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) is the professional organization representing practitioners of obstetrics and gynecology in India. With 286 member societies and over 45,000+ individual members spread over the length and breadth of the country, FOGSI is probably one of the largest membership based organizations of specialized professionals.
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The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India
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