World Thalassemia Day observed with call for youth awareness

On World Thalassemia Day (May 8), Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, Sandhani, Medicine Club, and Platform observed the day by creating public awareness online, amid the Covid-19 outbreak, said a press release.

This year's theme was "Thalassemia prevention should start from the youth, blood screening before marriage will protect the future generations."

According to World Health Organisation, seven per cent of Bangladesh's population (about 11 million people) are carriers of thalassemia. Every year, 7,000 children are born with the illness.

The keynote was presented by Prof Dr Manzoor Morshed. He said, "Thalassemia is a genetic disease of the blood. Patients with thalassemia do not make enough iron in their bodies. As a result, they get severe anaemia. Thalassemia patients survive through monthly blood infusions. If left untreated, the patients die of anaemia. Human cells have two genes for making blood. A person with a defect in one of the genes that make blood is called a thalassemia carrier, and a person with a defect in both genes is called a thalassemia patient."

Dr Abdur Rahim, secretary general of Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, said that Thalassemia Foundation Hospital continues to provide services even during the pandemic. At present, 3,205 registered patients are receiving regular medical services there. From this hospital, free medical aid is provided to the poor and destitute patients. In 2019, 522 patients were provided free medical services throughout the year.

Dr Aminul Islam, joint secretary to the government and adviser to the foundation; Aktari Mumtaz, former secretary to the government and patron of the foundation, and Dr Habibur Rahman, line director, Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Program (NCDC), Department of Health joined the discussion among many other distinguished persons.