Zubaida Rahman calls for national database for thalassaemia patients

Dr Zubaida Rahman, Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, has called for establishing a national database and registration system for those affected by thalassaemia and other rare genetic diseases in the country. She said while it is not possible to completely cure thalassaemia patients, they must be supported and given necessary assistance and mental support.

She made the remarks as the chief guest at the 'Blood Donor Honours 2026' programme organised by the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Society at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Ramna, Dhaka, on Friday.

Dr Zubaida Rahman said thalassaemia can be detected through screening during pregnancy. She emphasised strengthening prenatal screening to prevent the disease, as well as expanding detection programmes at district hospitals, upazila health complexes, union and village levels.

She further said if the government proceeds with plans to recruit one lakh new health workers, they could be trained in thalassaemia symptoms, treatment and patient management.

She also called for classifying detected patients into Thalassaemia Major, Thalassaemia Minor and Thalassaemia Trait categories to provide appropriate treatment and counselling.

The programme was chaired by Bangladesh Thalassaemia Society President Engineer M A Matin. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain Bokul, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator and Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam, and Ziaur Rahman Foundation Executive Director Professor Dr Farhad Halim Donar, among others, spoke at the event.