Over 20 Million Bangladeshis Are Thalassemia Carriers: State Minister

Farzana Sharmin, State Minister for Social Welfare, has said that 11.4 percent of the country’s total population—more than 20 million people—are carriers of thalassemia. She noted, “Treatment for thalassemia is extremely expensive. About 90 percent of patients affected by this disease are unable to bear the cost of treatment. If we take preventive measures in advance, the risk of being affected by thalassemia can be significantly reduced.”

She made the remarks on Saturday, March 7, at an event held at the Bangladesh Thalassemia Samity (BTS) headquarters in Taher Bhaban on Green Road in Dhaka. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by the ministry.

Farzana Sharmin said that raising public awareness at all levels of society is essential to control thalassemia, a hereditary disease. Addressing the leaders of BTS, the state minister said, “Please prepare documents outlining what effective measures, policy initiatives, and medical assistance are needed to control this disease and communicate them to the government. The Ministry of Social Welfare will take steps to ensure that no child in Bangladesh is born with thalassemia in the future.”

She further added, “If we properly care for those in our society who are thalassemia warriors, they can become valuable assets to the community. Effective initiatives must be taken for this purpose. Alongside financial assistance, mental support is also essential to help thalassemia warriors lead proper lives.”

At the beginning of the main event, two thalassemia warriors, Nowshin Tanzim and Lubaba Tasnim, shared their personal experiences and struggles with the disease. Two parents of thalassemia patients also expressed their views. They proposed that the hemoglobin electrophoresis test for thalassemia be made free of charge and called for government initiatives to establish a specialized thalassemia hospital and to increase nationwide awareness about the disease.

DBTech/EHM/EK/OR