Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has stated that the government aims to reduce the prevalence of thalassemia in the country over the next decade. He made the remark at the ceremony held to launch a national awareness campaign on thalassemia.
At the ceremony, Minister Khaleel said 70% of the Maldivian population either has thalassemia or exhibits symptoms, and this percentage could rise without intervention. He said that the awareness campaign is designed to curb the prevalence of thalassemia, with the government aiming to halve it within the next 10 years.
Additionally, Minister Khaleel revealed that 650 children with thalassemia currently undergo blood transfusions. He underscored the difficulties they encounter in accessing transfusions and bone marrow transplant tests, which are currently not available in the Maldives.
Furthermore, Minister Khaleel shared the President's commitment to providing every child with thalassemia access to bone marrow transplant services. He added that this goal will be achieved with the establishment of a dedicated specialist hospital for thalassemia patients.