Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Haemophilia Patient Dies Amid Factor VIII Shortages
Rajan Ganpat Sankpal was a 47-year-old man with haemophilia A. He had bleeding inside his brain and also suffered seizures.
Doctors needed a medicine called Factor VIII to help his blood clot.
They urgently sought 8,000 IU of the medicine.
Sankpal died by the end of July.
Patient groups say government hospitals in Maharashtra have continued to face shortages of Factor VIII.
They say this has happened even though funds were allocated by the Centre.
Nearly 5,500 haemophilia patients in Maharashtra may need access to these important medicines.
Rajan Ganpat Sankpal, 47, suffered a haemorrhagic stroke and seizures.
Doctors urgently sought 8,000 IU of anti-haemophilic Factor VIII for Sankpal.
Sankpal, who had haemophilia A, died by the end of July.
Patient groups say Factor VIII shortages continue at Maharashtra government hospitals despite Centre-allocated funds.
The shortages affect access to life-saving clotting-factor medicines for nearly 5,500 haemophilia patients in Maharashtra.
- Who
- Rajan Ganpat Sankpal, a 47-year-old man with haemophilia A, and nearly 5,500 haemophilia patients in Maharashtra.
- What
- Sankpal died after a haemorrhagic stroke and seizures when doctors urgently sought Factor VIII; the case has highlighted ongoing medicine shortages.
- When
- Sankpal died by the end of July; no year is specified.
- Where
- Maharashtra, including its government hospitals.
- Why
- Haemophilia prevents blood from clotting properly, making timely access to clotting-factor medicines essential; patient groups say shortages persisted despite Centre-allocated funds.
Centre-Allocated Funds
Patient Access Concerns
Availability of resources
Centre-Allocated Funds
Funds had been allocated by the Centre for the relevant medical response, according to the report.
Patient Access Concerns
Patient groups say Factor VIII shortages continued at government hospitals despite the allocated funds.
Impact on patients
Centre-Allocated Funds
The report identifies the existence of allocated funds but does not provide the Centre's explanation for the shortages.
Patient Access Concerns
The shortage of life-saving clotting-factor medicines has raised concerns for nearly 5,500 haemophilia patients in Maharashtra, following Sankpal's death.
- Patient
- Rajan Ganpat Sankpal
- Age
- 47
- Condition
- Haemophilia A
- Medical emergency
- Haemorrhagic stroke and seizures, with extensive bleeding inside the brain
- Medicine sought
- 8,000 IU of anti-haemophilic Factor VIII
- Affected population
- Nearly 5,500 haemophilia patients in Maharashtra
- Reported issue
- Patient groups say Factor VIII shortages persisted at government hospitals despite Centre-allocated funds