Thalassemia is genetically inherited blood disorder that
transmits from parents to their offsprings. As per news report, 4.4 out of every
10,000 lives are affected by this disease throughout the world. It’s highest
rate in the Mediterranean, Turkey, Italy, Greece, West Asia, North Asia and
South Asia.
In Pakistan, approximately 5000 to 9000 children are born with Beta Thalassemia
per year. The estimated carrier ratio is 5 to 7 % with 9.8 million carriers in
the total population of the country. Recent survey reports that Balochistan is
mainly affected by this disease as compared to other provinces, estimated 2000
children with beta thalassemia in the province balochistan. Beta thalassemia
major is the most severe form of thalassemia so affected children are dependent
on the regular basis blood transfusion for their survival.
Due to this blood transfusion many of thalassemia patients are becoming the
victim of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus because of no proper screening of
blood while transfusion. As there is a pandemic situation, and blood transfusion
for thalassemia patients is the basic need. so, their might be the high risk of
getting severe outcomes with COVID-19 from hospitals as well. Untreated
thalassemia may lead to death. While, the average life span of thalassemia
patients are approximately 10 years old from birth.
On the other hand, treatment can be done by blood transfusion, chelation
therapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
I urge higher authorities to spread awareness among the citizens at an
individual basis as well as through different seminars, sessions and campaigns.
Because, it is a serious issue which is increasing day by day. And, the biggest
loss due to this disorder is that it is affecting our children which are the
future youth of the country so, the government should ban the marriages with
thalassemia major and minor as well, there must be the implementation of the law
of pre marriage thalassemia testing, conduct awareness programme in rural areas
as well, open thalassemia care centres for patients and donate screened blood
with proper sterilized instruments while treating, individually, raise the issue
in public gatherings as well to awared the layman about this disease so, we can
get rid of this disease at world level as well as in our country.