Gov’t initiates efforts to launch comprehensive masterplan against thalassemia

The government has announced plans to launch a comprehensive national masterplan, aiming to reduce the number of thalassemia cases reported. Efforts to combat thalassemia in the Maldives began in 1994 with the establishment of the National Thalassemia Centre. However, the lack of significant infrastructural development or enhancement of services at the centre over the past 30 years has raised concerns among thalassemia patients and their respective families Notably, previous governments did not pay much attention to this issue. Despite the Thalassaemia Control Bill being ratified in 2012, it has not been strongly implemented. The Thalassemia Prevention Law emphasises the need for increased public awareness to curb the spread of thalassemia, the establishment of a sustainable treatment system for patients, and monitored by a legally empowered director general. The centre is required to operate nationally under the Ministry of Health’s guidance. Additionally, a special fund must be established to support and enhance thalassemia prevention efforts. Furthermore, the law also mandates the provision of family planning and counselling for thalassemia carriers, with the goal of reducing the annual birth rate of children born with the condition. However, other than mandating individuals to undergo thalassemia testing and obtain a thalassemia card prior to marriage, there has been substantial action taken to implement this law. Since 2015, thalassemia patients have been given the opportunity to undergo bone marrow transplants with assistance from the Zakat Fund, a programme which the government intends to continue annually. Currently, there are 944 registered thalassemia patients in the Maldives, with 659 children currently alive. According to a study conducted in 2014, public awareness on thalassemia is relatively low. Aiming to address this issue and reduce the birth rate of thalassemia children, the government has been exerting efforts to draft a masterplan against thalassemia. Additionally, the government has allocated 17,000 square feet of land for the construction of a Thalassemia Hospital in Hulhumale’ Phase II. The Ministry of Health has disclosed that the hospital will include 38 inpatient beds, 62 outpatient beds, and 20 private rooms. Furthermore, the facility will be equipped with Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and private surgical theatres, along with a dedicated department for bone marrow treatment.