Regional Science Centre & Planetarium, Calicut observed World Thalassemia Day and arranged an awareness camp on May 8, 2014 in collaboration with Blood Patients Protection Council (BPPC). Mr. P. K. Abdul Rabb, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Govt. of Kerala inaugurated the programme. Dr. Bindu. K. Sathi, who has specialised in Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, delivered a talk on this occasion followed by an interactive session with patients and public.

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder affecting blood cells; i.e., it is passed from parent to child and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world. This condition is caused by changes to the genes that control the production of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body – changes affecting haemoglobin result in severe anaemia.

The signs and symptoms of thalassemia vary in accordance with the type and severity of the disease. Some babies show signs and symptoms of thalassemia at birth; others may develop signs or symptoms during the first two years of life. Some people who have only one affected haemoglobin gene don't experience any thalassemia symptoms.

The World Health Organization declared 8th May as the World Thalassemia Day in order to raise awareness about the disease.

Regional Science Centre & Planetarium, Calicut is a unit of National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) which is the leading science communicator and spread awareness on various social, health, environment issues from time to time by organising such programs and events.