King George Hospital lab detects genetic blood disorders in 94 of 121 tribal samples

The Centre of Competence (CoC) laboratory at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam has identified genetic haemoglobin disorders in 94 out of 121 blood samples tested since its opening in May. This represents a 77.7 per cent prevalence of genetic haemoglobin variants or carrier status among the screened tribal populations.

Specific findings include 33 cases of sickle cell trait, 23 cases of homozygous sickle cell disease, 10 cases of thalassemia trait, and six cases of thalassemia major. Additionally, six samples showed a sickle cell-thalassemia combination, and two samples contained rare haemoglobin variants.

As the first facility of its kind in the state, the laboratory serves as a regional diagnostic hub for the Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Alluri Seetharamaraju districts. It utilizes advanced techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis, and variant newborn screening to provide testing, genetic counselling, and clinical management free of cost.

To ensure sample integrity from remote tribal areas, the laboratory employs strict cold-chain protocols, transporting samples in EDTA tubes at temperatures between 2–8°C. The facility receives samples from various government medical colleges, district hospitals, and community health centres, including those collected under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Programme.