Dhaka: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for the creation of widespread awareness about Thalassemia among the populace. ‘I urge all professionals, social and voluntary organisations, media, guardians and conscious civil society to create awareness among the people on this issue, alongside the government,’ he stated in a message issued today on the eve of World Thalassemia Day, which will be observed tomorrow.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the premier highlighted that Thalassemia is a complex inherited blood disease, posing significant concerns for individuals, families, and public health at large. He emphasized that if both parents carry the Thalassemia gene, the likelihood of their children inheriting the disease increases substantially. Therefore, he underscored the importance of raising public awareness, conducting timely testing, and implementing preventive measures.
This year’s theme for World Thalassemia Day is ‘Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.’ In line with this, the Bangladesh Thalassemia Association has organized various programs, as they do annually, to mark the day, Tarique Rahman noted. He stressed that this occasion is crucial for enhancing public awareness, prevention, and fostering a sense of social responsibility towards those affected by the condition.
In Bangladesh, it is estimated that approximately two crore people are carriers of the Thalassemia gene. The prime minister expressed concern over this statistic and emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard the health of future generations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to the policy of ‘prevention is better than cure,’ particularly in the context of Thalassemia prevention.
The premier also mentioned that the current democratic government is diligently working towards establishing a people-centric and modern health system. He revealed plans to introduce an ‘e-health card’ for citizens, which will contain vital health information, enabling both patients and healthcare providers to access the latest health data regardless of location.
Experts, as noted by the prime minister, assert that Thalassemia does not spread unless two patients with the condition enter into a marital relationship. Consequently, he emphasized the collective responsibility of families, society, and the state in raising awareness about the risks associated with marriages among Thalassemia gene carriers.
Finally, Tarique Rahman extended his best wishes for the success of all programs organized in observance of World Thalassemia Day.