<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that diseases like thalassemia and sickle cell are increasing day by day and are spreading rapidly in East Vidarbha in Maharashtra. He said in order to eradicate the disease a vaccine needs to be developed. He added that research needs to be done for the same. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He was speaking at the inaugural function of an Online Education Programme for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell disease organized by Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Center, Nagpur run by Thalassemia Society of Central India.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR Correspondent reports, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the cases of Thalassemia and Sickle Cell are increasing in East Vidarbha mainly in Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Wardha and Nagpur districts and this is a matter of concern. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking at the seminar which was organized as part of the Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Awareness Week, Gadkari said patients with this disease need constant blood transfusions. He also said that a separate blood bank for sickle cell should be started to reduce the shortage of blood. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He added that the number of blood donors should also be increased and if necessary, the help of NGOs should be sought.</span><br />''