Hyderabad, 16 April 2025: Kamala Hospital and Research Centre for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease, operating under Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (TSCS), Hyderabad, has been officially designated as one of the key Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF) Collaborating Centres in India. This recognition places the facility among a global network of elite centres that are committed to raising the standards of care, education, and research in the field of haemoglobinopathies, including Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) making it a significant achievement in India’s healthcare landscape.
This prestigious selection is the result of a rigorous and multi-stage international assessment process conducted by world-renowned experts, following which Kamala Hospital and Research Centre (TSCS) has now joined a powerful global initiative led by TIF to enhance comprehensive care, strengthen medical training, and build capacity in countries with high disease burden.
In the month of Feb 2025, an official on-site evaluation was carried out by an expert delegation comprising Prof. Antonio Piga and Prof. Dimitrios Farmakis. Their inspection included Kamala Hospital & Research Centre (TSCS) in Hyderabad, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and Post Graduate Institute of Child Health, Noida.
Following an in-depth post-visit assessment — Kamala Hospital and Research Centre (TSCS), Hyderabad, — was selected as one of the two TIF Collaborating Centres in India. TIF Collaborating Centres network is a cornerstone initiative designed to close persistent gaps in care, education, and human resources across countries struggling with high burdens of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease.
Speaking about the collaboration Mr. Chandrakant Agarwal, President, TSCS said, “This designation by TIF is not only an accolade for Kamala Hospital and TSCS, but a beacon of hope for thousands of Indian families affected by Thalassemia and SCD. It acknowledges TSCS outstanding patient care model, our unwavering dedication to equitable access, our leadership in voluntary blood donation and free treatment and our growing stature in research and prevention. As a TIF Collaborating Centre, Kamala Hospital Research Centre (TSCS) will now expand its impact beyond Telangana uplifting regional centres, supporting national policies, and collaborating with international experts. This is not just a recognition. It is a responsibility.”
Dr. Suman Jain, Chief Medical Research Officer and Secretary, TSCS speaking about the way forward said, “As a designated TIF Collaborating Centre, Kamala Hospital (TSCS) will now serve as a nucleus of training, support, and standardization for the state of Telangana and beyond to organize training workshops for Haematologists and treating physicians within the state, structured fellowships will be developed for clinicians and healthcare workers at smaller regional treatment centres, Annual Medical Workshops will bring organized, arrangements of Formal Liaison with Local and National Health Authorities identifying and supporting regional centres” .
Prof Antonio Piga and Prof. Dimitrios Farmakis expressed their happiness and said, “At TIF we are dedicated to improving the lives of patients with Thalassaemia, Sickle Cell Disease, and other haemoglobinopathies worldwide. TIF works closely with World Health Organization (WHO), Ministries of Health, Healthcare professionals and Patient advocacy groups. With this designation TIF Collaborating Centre, Kamala Hospital (TSCS) will now serve as a nucleus of training, support, and innovate for the state of Telangana and beyond to bring clinicians, researchers, donors, patients, and policymakers work together towards Thalassemia and to transform Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease care in India’’.
Mrs. Ratnavali Kottapalli, Vice President, TSCS sharing her concluding statements said, “TSCS is home to a dedicated molecular research unit that regularly publishes findings in both international peer-reviewed journals and national forums. So far 22 journals are published nationally and internationally. The centre has also successfully conducted two National Conferences, Continuing Medical Education (CME) and is an active participant in TIF webinars, workshops, and summits. We are looking forward to the activities scheduled under the collaboration with TIF”.