Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday, 14 November 2026, called for deeper coordination among medical experts, researchers, voluntary organisations, and blood banks to strengthen early diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders — including thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia, and blood cancer — at the 67th National Conference of the Indian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion (ISHBT), held in Ahmedabad.

Conference Inauguration and Key Message

Inaugurating HEMATOCon-2026, Patel described the gathering as more than a medical or academic event. 'It provided a platform to bring together knowledge, science, research and compassion for the protection of human life,' he said. He welcomed haematologists, researchers, and specialists from India and several countries, and extended Diwali greetings to the delegates.

Patel underlined that coordinated efforts — spanning early diagnosis, genetic counselling, and research — are essential if society is to effectively combat serious blood-related diseases. 'The role of doctors and specialists in the field of haematology is akin to that of angels for society,' he said, emphasising their responsibility in helping patients identify and tackle disorders at an early stage.

Blood Donation, Public Health, and State Initiatives

The Chief Minister also called for greater public participation in blood donation, describing it as 'an invaluable gift of life and the highest form of humanitarian service.' He said, 'Blood flowing through the human body is not merely a fluid, but an invaluable element that sustains the rhythm of life, energy and human existence.'

Patel pointed to the Gujarat government's enhanced health coverage under Ayushman Bharat, noting that the state has added an additional ₹5 lakh to the existing ₹5 lakh central coverage, taking total health protection per family to ₹10 lakh. He also cited initiatives such as natural farming, yoga, pranayama, Mission LiFE, and the Fit India Movement as contributors to healthier lifestyles. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat @2047', Patel said healthy citizens are the nation's greatest asset.

Technology and Medical Advances Highlighted

Patel drew attention to the Centre's e-RaktKosh digital platform, crediting it with making blood availability information accessible through a single portal for patients and families in need. He also highlighted advances in bone marrow transplantation, stem cell therapy, and immunotherapy as new avenues of hope for patients with serious blood disorders. The state government, he said, is specifically focused on early screening of thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia, coordination between government and private blood banks for safe blood supply, and promotion of haematology research at medical colleges.

Scale and Scope of HEMATOCon-2026

The conference has drawn more than 2,500 delegates, including leading haematologists, haemato-oncologists, medical oncologists, bone marrow transplant physicians, pathologists, researchers, faculty members, and postgraduate students. International participation spans countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, China, and South Korea.

The agenda covers developments in blood disorder diagnosis and treatment, blood cancers, stem cell transplantation, cellular therapy, immunotherapy, and precision medicine. It also aims to raise public awareness about sickle cell disease, thalassaemia, haemophilia, anaemia, leukaemia, other blood cancers, and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The conference also saw the unveiling of the ISHBT's official souvenir. Outcomes from the deliberations are expected to inform both state health policy and clinical practice guidelines going forward.