Dhaka: State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin today stressed the need for increasing public awareness to control the hereditary disease thalassemia. She made these remarks while addressing the BTS Lottery-2025 prize-giving ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Thalassemia Samity (BTS) at Taher Bhaban in the capital’s Green Road.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the State Minister highlighted that nearly 20 million people in Bangladesh are carriers of thalassemia. She noted that the treatment of the disease is highly expensive, with about 90 percent of patients unable to afford the cost. Farzana Sharmin urged BTS leaders to prepare documents outlining effective measures, policy initiatives, and medical support needed to control the disease and to communicate these with the government.
The State Minister assured that the Ministry of Social Welfare will take necessary steps to ensure no child is born with thalassemia in the country. She also emphasized the need for both financial and mental support for individuals fighting thalassemia.
During the program, thalassemia fighters Nawshin Tanzim and Lubaba Tasnim shared their experiences, while guardians of patients called for free Hemoglobin Electrophoresis tests and the establishment of a specialized thalassemia hospital. The event concluded with the State Minister handing over prize cheques to the winners of the BTS Lottery-2025 and urging them to help raise awareness about the disease.