Dhaka: Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice-President and noted physician Dr. Zubaida Rahman today called for creating a nationwide database of individuals suffering from thalassaemia and other congenital rare diseases to ensure better care and support for these patients. She emphasized the importance of preparing and maintaining a registry during her speech as the chief guest at the "Blood Donor Award 2026" programme held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was organized by the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Society (BTS) in observance of World Blood Donor Day. Dr. Zubaida Rahman highlighted the necessity of offering reassurance to those afflicted with thalassaemia and their families through compassion and empathy, despite the challenges in providing a complete cure.
Dr. Zubaida also urged relevant authorities to introduce screening measures for expectant mothers to help prevent the transmission of thalassaemia. She pointed out that the disease can be detected during pregnancy and at any age through appropriate screening tests. To ensure widespread detection, she suggested expanding awareness and screening programmes to district hospitals, upazila health complexes, union-level health facilities, and villages.
Referring to the government's intention to recruit 100,000 health workers, Dr. Zubaida proposed providing them with comprehensive training on thalassaemia, including its symptoms, treatment, and patient counseling methods. She also recommended categorizing diagnosed patients into thalassaemia major, minor, and trait groups to facilitate appropriate treatment and care.
Dr. Zubaida underscored the importance of physicians delivering treatment with utmost caution and sensitivity to reassure patients and their families. She expressed her gratitude to voluntary blood donors for their humanitarian service and specially congratulated her daughter, Zaima Rahman, for donating blood voluntarily seven times.
Dr. Zubaida extended her thanks to all members of the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Society for their continued support to thalassaemia patients and their families since 1989. The event was attended by notable figures, including Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam, and Executive Director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Professor Dr. Farhad Halim Donar, among others. The function was chaired by Bangladesh Thalassaemia Society President Engineer M A Matin. Additionally, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) President Professor Dr. Harun Al Rashid and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam were present on the occasion.
Awards were presented to voluntary blood donors and organizations for their significant contributions to blood donation activities.