Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has pledged the government’s maximum cooperation for those suffering from thalassemia. The minister made the commitment on Friday afternoon while addressing the “Blood Donor Honour-2026” ceremony as a special guest.
The event, organised by the Bangladesh Thalassemia Samity (BTS) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, was held to recognise and express gratitude for the contributions of voluntary blood donors.
Zubaida Rahman, a prominent physician and vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, attended the programme as the chief guest.
Addressing the leadership of the Thalassemia Samity, Sakhawat urged them to submit a formal application for financial assistance. “I want to stand by your side. Submit an application for financial aid, and I will provide the maximum possible cooperation,” he said.
The minister highlighted the noble contribution of blood donors, citing examples of two young men who have donated blood 41 and 38 times respectively to save the lives of thalassemia patients.
Emphasising the importance of pre-marital screening, the minister noted that the disease could be prevented if couples are aware of their carrier status. “If both partners are carriers of thalassemia, their child may be born with the disease. We can protect the entire nation from this deadly ailment if we adopt cautious measures such as pre-marital screening,” he said.
Recalling the visionary health initiatives of former president Ziaur Rahman, the minister mentioned how the late leader would travel to remote villages accompanied by doctors. He noted that Ziaur Rahman also advocated for changes in dietary habits to build a healthy nation.
In this context, Sakhawat warned against the rising consumption of fast foods, such as pizza, burgers, and fried chicken, which he linked to the prevalence of complex diseases including cancer and kidney ailments. He urged the public to focus on consuming correct and nutritious food.
Furthermore, the minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is placing the highest emphasis on preventive healthcare. He observed that serious illnesses, including liver and kidney cancer, are increasing alarmingly in rural areas, and asserted that prevention is far superior to traditional treatment.
During the ceremony, various individuals and organisations involved in blood donation activities were presented with awards.
The event was also attended by Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) Chief Adviser Prof Farhad Haleem Donar, DAB President Prof Harun Al Rashid, and BTS President Engr MA Matin among others.
