Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for raising mass awareness about Thalassaemia, urging all sections of society to work alongside the government to prevent the inherited blood disorder.
“I urge all professionals, social and voluntary organisations, media, guardians and conscious members of civil society to create awareness among the people on this issue alongside the government,” he said in a message marking World Thalassaemia Day, to be observed Friday.
The prime minister said Thalassaemia is a complex inherited blood disease that poses serious concerns for individuals, families and public health.
He said the risk of children being affected rises significantly if both parents carry the Thalassaemia gene.
“So, it is important to increase public awareness, conduct timely testing and take preventive measures,” he said.
The theme of this year’s World Thalassaemia Day is “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed, Supporting the Unseen”.
Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh Thalassaemia Association has undertaken various programmes to mark the day, as in previous years.
He said the observance is important for increasing public awareness, strengthening prevention efforts and encouraging social responsibility towards people affected by the disease.
According to estimates, around two crore people in Bangladesh are carriers of the Thalassaemia gene, he said.
“The issue is very worrying and effective measures must be taken now to ensure the health of future generations,” he added.
The PM said the government has adopted the policy that prevention is better than cure, which he described as the most effective approach in tackling Thalassaemia.
He said the government is working to build a people-oriented and modern healthcare system and plans to introduce an e-health card containing citizens’ medical information.
Once introduced, citizens will be able to access updated health information through the card, he said.
He added that doctors would also be able to quickly access a patient’s medical records through the e-health card, regardless of whether treatment is received in villages or cities.
Referring to expert opinions, the PM said Thalassaemia does not spread unless both partners in a marriage are carriers of the gene.
He said families, society and the state must work together to raise awareness about the risks of marriage between Thalassaemia gene carriers to prevent incurable blood diseases like Thalassaemia.
He wished success for all programmes taken up to mark the day.
