Coal India Celebrates TBSY’s Transformative Impact on World Thalassemia Day

Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey echoed the sentiments, applauding CIL’s dual role in nation-building — as an energy provider and as a compassionate social partner.

On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day 2025, Coal India Limited (CIL), in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, hosted a commemorative event at Hotel Ashok, New Delhi, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of its flagship CSR initiative – the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY). The scheme, a beacon of hope for families affected by thalassemia and aplastic anemia, has provided free bone marrow transplants (BMTs) to over 700 children across the country.

The event was graced by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal and Mines, as the Chief Guest, and Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, as the Guest of Honour. The distinguished gathering included Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, along with senior officials from both the Ministry of Coal and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, CMDs and Directors of Coal PSUs, medical professionals, representatives from partner hospitals and NGOs, and many beneficiary children and their families.

TBSY: A Story of Impact and Compassion

Launched as a CSR effort under Coal India’s vision for equitable healthcare, the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana has grown into a nationwide initiative delivering life-saving medical interventions to children suffering from thalassemia and aplastic anemia, both of which are rare but severe blood disorders.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the transformative nature of the scheme. He lauded its success and outlined a bold new vision — “One State, One Hospital” for bone marrow transplant services under TBSY. This approach aims to decentralize care, ensuring children across India, especially in rural and under-served regions, have access to timely treatment.

He praised Coal India for transcending traditional CSR efforts and offering a compassion-driven model of public health intervention. “With over 700 successful transplants, the TBSY has given a second chance at life to children while shielding families from crippling medical costs,” he said.

Reddy also spotlighted the tech-enabled dimension of the program — an online portal developed by CIL allows real-time application processing and transparent monitoring. Accompanied by multi-channel awareness campaigns involving pamphlets, films, and rural outreach, the scheme has reached even the most remote communities.

Reinforcing Collaborative Healthcare Models

Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey echoed the sentiments, applauding CIL’s dual role in nation-building — as an energy provider and as a compassionate social partner. He emphasized the scheme’s provision of ₹10 lakh financial aid per child, and commended the public-private partnerships forged with 17 top hospitals, including collaborations with Thalassemics India, which have ensured widespread implementation and clinical excellence.

Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized creating synergies between CIL hospitals and BMT centers to enhance early diagnosis and intervention. She called for capacity-building in coal-belt regions, ensuring families don’t have to travel far for treatment. Highlighting TBSY’s global recognition, she reaffirmed the Ministry’s support in making India thalassemia-free.

Strategic Alignment with National Health Priorities

Mr. Harsh Mangla, Director of the National Health Mission, detailed how the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is scaling its fight against rare genetic diseases. He underscored the importance of inter-ministerial cooperation, such as that between Coal India and the Health Ministry, in reaching marginalized populations.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, who thanked all stakeholders for their unwavering support and pledged continued commitment to initiatives that bring meaningful social change. He noted that programs like TBSY reflect CIL’s belief in inclusive and sustainable development.

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Recognition, Testimonials, and Emotional Resonance

From the healthcare frontline, Dr. Vikram Matthews of CMC Vellore and Dr. Sunil Bhat of Narayana Health, Bengaluru presented moving accounts of case studies and discussed the challenges and opportunities in India’s BMT ecosystem. Their inputs called for stronger infrastructure, resource allocation, and training modules to improve long-term outcomes.

Three hospitals — CMC Vellore, Narayana Hrudayalaya Bengaluru, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Delhi — were felicitated for their stellar performance in delivering successful transplant outcomes under TBSY.

One of the most emotional highlights of the day was the felicitation of 15 thalassemia warrior children, symbolizing the scheme’s tangible impact. Guardians of two beneficiaries shared deeply moving testimonials, narrating how their children’s lives were saved through the scheme, and how TBSY restored their families' hopes and dreams.

A Vision for a Thalassemia-Free India

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), CIL, who reaffirmed CIL’s vision to scale up such initiatives and build long-term social impact. He stressed the necessity of collective action, inter-agency coordination, and patient-centered policy frameworks.

The success of Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana stands as a shining example of what corporate compassion, when aligned with national health goals, can achieve. It transforms not just lives but also the very fabric of public healthcare delivery in India.