Maldives Blood Services (MBS) on Tuesday said it is making arrangements to provide medication to Thalassemia patients through pharmacies of State Trading Organisation (STO) in the atolls.
Dr. Aishath Rameela, State Minister for Health, said that “the biggest challenge for Thalassemia patients in the atolls is the unavailability of medication in the atolls.”
Citing that all treatment of Thalassemia patients are covered by the Government, Dr. Rameela said that “the Government is now working to make all medication available through STO pharmacies”.
She further noted that “blood transfusion services are currently available at 80 healthcare centres in the atolls, with blood storage facilities established in 5 hospitals,” and added “Thalassemia screening services have also been established in 6 regions across the country.”
There are a total of 621 Thalassemia patients currently registered with Maldives Blood Services.