Health Minister: Gov stands committed to controlling thalassemia

Health Minister Abdulla Khaleel says the government stands committed to preventing, controlling and managing thalassemia in the Maldives.

Khaleel made the remark in a post on X on Wednesday, on occasion of International Thalassemia Day.

The theme for this year’s International Thalassemia Day is: “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All’’.

Referring to this, Khaleel said the Maldivian government remains committed not just to preventing, controlling and managing thalassemia, but also to ensuring every individual’s right to quality healthcare.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has previously stated that thalassemia as a priority area for his administration, making several pledges to strengthen and expand services for thalassemia patients.

As part of this, DNA testing – a carrier screening process used to identify thalassemia inheritance – has been added to the list of treatments covered under the state health insurance scheme – Aasandha.

Additional measures include facilitating government sponsorship for bone marrow transplants for eligible thalassemia patients, providing Aasandha coverage for essential medicines and consumables for thalassemia patients, and ensuring availability of medicines to patients across the Maldives through the State Trading Organization (STO).

Five thalassemia patients will be undergoing bone marrow transplants at state expense this year.

The Maldivian administration also plans on establishing a specialized hospital, exclusively for treating Thalassemia patients.

Maldives has over 600 registered thalassemia patients.

Over 300 of them get their transfusions from Male’.