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Mumbai, July 13, 2025 — Maharashtra is grappling with a severe public health crisis as a critical shortage of life-saving Anti-Hemophilic Factor (AHF) injections has left hemophilia patients across the state at grave risk. Since September 2024, at least 30 patients from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur have died due to the unavailability of these essential medicines in government and civic-run hospitals.
The Hemophilia Society, Mumbai Chapter, has sounded the alarm, highlighting the non-availability of AHF—a protein vital for blood clotting in hemophilia patients. “There has been no supply of factor medicines to any state-run hospital since September 2024,” said Jigar Kotecha, Honorary Secretary of the Society. Despite repeated appeals to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the society reports no response from the administration.
Currently, there are over 1,200 registered hemophilia patients in Mumbai alone. KEM Hospital, the only BMC-run facility providing hemophilia care, has had no stock of these crucial injections for nearly 10 months. Patients in urgent need are now being referred to Surat Civil Hospital in Gujarat for emergency treatment.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the cessation of free supply under the National Health Mission (NHM) since September 2024. The government cited the shift of treatment to civic-run hospitals as the reason for halting distribution. The injections, previously provided at no cost, are now either unavailable in the open market or sold at prohibitive prices—between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh per vial—making them inaccessible for most families.
With no immediate solution in sight, the Hemophilia Society has warned of peaceful protests if the situation persists. They have called for urgent intervention from authorities to restore the supply of factor injections and prevent further loss of life1.
About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare genetic disorder that impairs the blood’s ability to clot, leading to prolonged or spontaneous bleeding. The condition primarily affects males, while females may be carriers and can occasionally experience mild symptoms. Without timely administration of clotting factors, patients are at risk of life-threatening complications.
“If this situation continues, we will be forced to hold silent demonstrations outside the Mantralaya, Health Bhavan, and BMC headquarters during the ongoing Assembly session,” said Kotecha.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information as of July 13, 2025, and is intended for informational purposes only. For medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. The situation regarding the supply of hemophilia treatments may change; readers are encouraged to verify the latest updates from official sources.
