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TPAG and CII Join Hands to Combat Thalassemia on World Thalassemia Day

Today, on World Thalassemia Day, Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) proudly announces its collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the growing burden of thalassemia in India. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat thalassemia and ensure the well-being of individuals affected by this inherited blood disorder.

Thalassemia, a condition characterized by insufficient production of hemoglobin, poses a significant health challenge in India, with an estimated 100,000 patients and an alarming annual incidence of 10,000-15,000 children born with thalassemia major. Recognizing the urgent need for action, TPAG and CII have united under the Safe Blood Campaign to organize a series of voluntary blood donation camps tailored specifically for thalassemia patients.

Anubha Taneja-Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG

Anubha Taneja-Mukherjee, Member Secretary of TPAG, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Under Safe Blood Campaign, CII and Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG) have come together to organize a series of voluntary blood donation camps for transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in government hospitals in Delhi.” She emphasized the significance of these camps, timed to coincide with World Thalassemia Day (8th May) and World Blood Donor Day (14th June), in promoting safe blood practices and preventing transfusion-transmitted infections.

To further enhance the safety of donated blood, TPAG urges the government to prioritize the implementation of Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) screening nationwide. This advanced screening method can detect HIV 1 and 2, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, ensuring that only safe blood is transfused to patients. TPAG advocates for the establishment of stringent blood laws to enforce these vital screening protocols across the country.

While acknowledging Indias potential for groundbreaking research in thalassemia treatment, TPAG emphasizes the need for regulatory evolution to align with international standards. Despite recent advancements, hemoglobinopathies continue to strain the healthcare system, highlighting the importance of ongoing research, improved accessibility to screening methods, and the exploration of curative options like gene therapy.

As the fight against thalassemia progresses, TPAG calls for collective action from healthcare professionals, policymakers, NGOs, and the public. Early detection through genetic testing, modernization of healthcare infrastructure, and increased access to blood banks are crucial steps towards reducing the burden of thalassemia and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

TPAG remains committed to advocating for the prevention and treatment of thalassemia and invites stakeholders from all sectors to join in this vital mission.тАЛ

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business

Newly-Elected National CII – IGBC Leadership Set to Drive India’s Green and Net-Zero Building Movement

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has elected its new office-bearers for the year 2024-2026.

Mr. B Thiagarajan, Managing Director of Blue Star Ltd, has assumed the role of National Chairman for CII – IGBC. He succeeds Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, Managing Director, Rajco Metal Industries Pvt.Ltd. In addition, Mr. C Shekar Reddy, Managing Director of CSR Estates Ltd., takes over as National Vice Chairman of CII – IGBC.

 

The newly elected National Chairman B Thiagarajan and Vice Chairman C Shekar Reddy, CII – IGBC along with CII – IGBC dignitaries

With a collective vision for the transformation of buildings and communities, Mr. Thiagarajan and Mr. Reddy are set to drive forward the Green Building Movement in India with a keen focus on the reduction of resource consumption and minimizing carbon emissions. Their leadership aims to take significant steps in reducing the carbon footprints of buildings and accelerating sustainable construction practices to foster a culture of eco-friendly development in the nation.

The newly-elected leaderships primary objective will be to achieve a substantial reduction in both embodied and operational carbon emissions in existing and new buildings as well as built environments. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts, they aim to create a paradigm shift in the real estate and product manufacturing sectors, nurturing innovation, setting new standards for a greener India, and doubling the green building and built environment footprint by 2030.

Speaking about their goals, Mr. B Thiagarajan, the incoming National Chairman, stated, “We are committed to driving a transformative shift towards green building practices by addressing the key contributors to carbon footprint of buildings. Recently, the demand for cooling has substantially increased and the Indian HVAC market size is expected to see a CAGR of nearly 16% by 2030. Our aim is to improve the efficiency of operational equipment and increase the adoption of low carbon cooling systems. With GreenPro Eco-Labelled building products made available across the country, I believe we can inspire industry stakeholders to embrace sustainability and facilitate India to become one of the foremost countries to achieve Net-Zero Carbon by 2070.

Mr. C Shekar Reddy, the newly-appointed National Vice Chairman, added, “We have over 350 organizations committed to achieving Net-Zero status for new and existing buildings through IGBC’s Net-Zero – Energy, Water, Waste and Carbon Rating Systems. We believe that by doubling the Green Building footprint by 2030 and addressing the bottom of the pyramid, the Indian Building Sector can accelerate its sustainability efforts with a greater impact on enhancing the health and well-being of every citizen of our country.”

The CII-IGBC, housed within the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, has been at the forefront of driving sustainable practices across India. With over 35,000 professionals empowered through extensive outreach and capacity-building efforts, the centre continues to lead the nation towards a transformative shift and enables it to achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2070.

About the Indian Green Building Council

IGBC was established by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001 to actively promote the Green Building concept in India. The Council is represented by all stakeholders of the construction industry comprising corporate, government, and nodal agencies, architects, product manufacturers, institutions, and more. The Council also closely works with governments, the World Green Building Council, and bilateral and multilateral agencies to promote green building concepts in India.

With a Green Building footprint of 11.62 billion sq. ft., and with over 13,260 projects adopting IGBC’s 32 rating systems, the Green Building movement in India has been advancing at a rapid pace and transforming India into one of the global leaders in green built environment.

IGBC’s current stakeholder ecosystem consists of 29 Local Chapters across the nation, 7100+ Accredited Professionals (IGBC APs), and 360+ student chapters.

For more information, please write to m.anand@cii.in

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