Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin said that it is important to take an action plan to reduce the number of thalassemia cases in Bangladesh to zero within the next ten years.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a program organized on the occasion of International Thalassemia Day 2025 at the auditorium of Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute on Wednesday (May 7, 2025).
Sheikh Bashiruddin said that a thalassemia patient has to spend twenty to thirty thousand taka for treatment. It is sad but true that there is no surplus expenditure for those affected by this disease. According to statistics, 10-11 percent of the country is thalassemia carrier. If 1 percent of them are patients, it will cost two to ten thousand crore taka for treatment. Stating that creating a surplus for this expenditure is very complicated, he said that we can reduce this expenditure through public awareness.
The Commerce Adviser said, social awareness is very important to prevent thalassemia. Through awareness and adequate screening, the rate of thalassemia can be reduced by diagnosing thalassemia. If a beta thalassemia carrier marries another carrier without knowing it, their child can be born with severe thalassemia. Therefore, public awareness at the individual level is necessary to prevent this.
The Adviser emphasized on training marriage registrars about the costly disease, creating social awareness through religious leaders and school teachers, and working to create public opinion about blood tests before marriage in various forums.
He said, there is no problem in being a thalassemia carrier. Even if someone is a carrier, they can lead a completely normal life. If two carriers are bound through marriage, there is a possibility of the child being affected by this disease. As a result, a family or state expense liability of about two thousand to ten thousand crore taka is created. He urged everyone to know their status through blood tests as a way to get rid of this expense. At this time, he inaugurated the awareness program on thalassemia through his own blood test.
Chaired by Professor Dr. AKM Azizul Haque, Chairman of the Management Board of Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute, the program was addressed as special guests by Professor Dr. Md. Selimuzzaman, former Head of the Department of Pediatric Medicine of Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute, Dr. Arefin, General Manager of Zenfar Bangladesh, and Professor Dr. Md. Monir Hossain, Academic Coordinator of Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute.
The welcome speech was delivered by Professor Dr. Md. Mahbubul Haque, Director of Bangladesh Children’s Hospital and Institute.
It is worth noting that the day has been celebrated worldwide since 1994 to raise public awareness about thalassemia disease. Since 1998, treatment of this disease in Bangladesh has been started at Shishu Hospital (currently known as Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute). This year, the theme of the day is ‘Building social unity for thalassemia, ensuring patient priority’.
Earlier, on the occasion of International Thalassemia Day 2025, a colorful procession organized by Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute circumambulated important places.
