An awareness programme on haemophilia, a genetic disorder, was organised by the city chapter of Hemophilia Society at RIMS on Saturday.

As many as 30,000 units of Rs 4.5 lakh-worth Factor VIII, an essential blood-clotting protein, were distributed among 30 patients hailing from Giridih, Palamau, Koderma, Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Dumka, Chouparan, Sahebganj, Daltonganj and Gumla.

RIMS director Dr D.K. Singh, who was present as the chief guest at the programme that was held from 11.40am to 3.30pm, assured of all possible help for the treatment of hemophilic patients.

“You tell me the requirement of units and I will fulfil it without any delay,” Dr Singh told the head of haemophilia department Govind Ji Sahay.

“Timely physiotherapy is compulsory for haemophilic patients,” he advised patients.

“In Jharkhand haemophilia daycare centres are functioning at sadar hospitals in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Garhwa, Palamau and Giridih, besides at RIMS, MGM hospital, Jamshedpur, and PMCH, Dhanbad. While distributing the units we specially paid attention to patients who stay far away from these daycare centres,” said secretary of hemophilia society Santosh Kumar Jaiswal.

Throwing light on the importance of Factor VIII, Jaiswal said, “For a person suffering from haemophilia, blood doesn’t clot normally and Factor VIII protein is injected to stop the bleeding.”

Ashish Kumar, who had come all the way from Giridih with his haemophilic daughter, said he felt relived after attending the programme.

“I was really worried when I learnt that my daughter is suffering from hemophilia. Today she is felling better. I am glad I attended the programme,” added Kumar.