Every year, approximately 10,000 children are adding to the growing list of thalassemia patients in Bangladesh. Likely, 70,000-80,000 thalassemia patients were not counted while the calculation of required blood units since the issue of thalassemia is ignored at the policy level. Such restrictions and fear of contracting Covid-19 are making it difficult both the blood donors and recipients (ie the thalassemia patients). To implement this, the government has to prioritize thalassemia at the policy level, considering the plights of thousands of families with thalassemia children in Bangladesh. During a crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of thalassemia patients must also be taken seriously.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 07, 2020 13:52 UTC