Health Ministry assures to resolve issues faced by Thalassemia patients

Ministry of Health has assured that they will soon resolve the difficulties in attaining blood, storage and shortage of medication faced by Thalassemia patients.

Speaking to a mob of protesters comprising of Thalassemia patients and members of the Thalassemia foundation, Minister of State for Health Ali Shareef stood inside the Maldives Blood Services office last night and said that the frequent difficulties in the service of the Maldives Blood Services has been brought to the Ministry's attention.

Last night’s protest by members of the Thalassemia Foundation, parents and patients followed a recent incident where 30 blood packets stored at the Maldives Blood Services centre had gone bad due to a fault in the storage fridge.

State Minister Ali Shareef assured the protesters last night that the government is determined to solve their problems and that they are working on obtaining a shipment of equipment and medication that will last for a three month period.

“We have decided to put this place (Maldives Blood Services) under a political office. I have now taken over and have begun efforts to bring medication and equipment needed for Thalassemia children, enough for the next three months,” Shareef said.

He explained that the recent shortage in medication was due to budget constraints and assured that the issue will be resolved soon.

Referring to the issue of the faulty storage fridge, Shareef said that they are currently working to get a back-up power system for the facility.

The angry mob of protesters were subdued last night after efforts from the Thoddoo MP Ali Waheed and Galolhu-South MP Ahmed Maloof who had gone to the area facilitated for n Health Ministry official to talk to the protesters.

A Thalassemia patient told the press last night that they appreciate the government’s response to last night’s rally and that it was a good to hear a senior official from the Ministry of Health assuring that the problems will be resolved.

MP Ali Waheed had addressed the protesters and said he will ask the parliament to debate the difficulties faced by the Thalassemia community and find out the reason behind these issues.