Experts urge pre-marital screening to prevent thalassaemia

On the occasion of International Thalassaemia Day, a roundtable discussion was held at the conference room of the Directorate General of Health Services on Wednesday, May 13. The Haematology Society of Bangladesh organised the event.

Experts discussed the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and public awareness of thalassaemia, which has emerged as a major public health problem in Bangladesh.

HSB President Professor Dr Amin Lutful Kabir presided over the session, with DGHS Director General Professor Dr Probhat Chandra Biswas and Directorate of Health Education Director General Professor Dr Nazmul Hossain attending as special guests. They stressed the need for effective and coordinated initiatives to prevent the disease, with special emphasis on blood tests before marriage.

Thalassaemia is a preventable genetic disorder, speakers said. Proper awareness and pre-marital screening can significantly reduce its spread. They also emphasised reducing the cost of iron chelation drugs, ensuring drug availability, expanding healthcare at the grassroots level, and ensuring safe blood transfusion.

Participants called for strengthening national thalassaemia screening programmes and raising awareness at educational institutions and community levels. They noted the need for coordinated efforts by both government and private sectors to ensure quality treatment and long-term care for patients.

HSB General Secretary Dr Md Adnan Hasan Masud, Scientific Secretary Dr Md Monirul Islam, haematologists, paediatricians, gynaecologists, thalassaemia patients and caregivers, representatives of the Society of Transfusion Medicine, pharmaceutical companies, and media professionals attended the event.