Govt moves to curb Thalassemia through screening

Bangladesh is intensifying its focus on thalassemia prevention as experts warn that the genetic blood disorder is becoming a growing public health threat, affecting thousands of children every year.

Speaking at a seminar marking World Thalassemia Day 2026 at a hospital in Malibagh, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said pre-marital screening is crucial to reduce the risk of the disease being passed on to children.

He cautioned that when both partners are carriers of thalassemia, their children face a high likelihood of inheriting the life-threatening condition, which affects the body’s ability to produce healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin.

The minister stressed that early diagnosis before marriage could significantly reduce new cases in the future, calling for wider awareness and preventive action.

He also highlighted that around one in every nine people in Bangladesh is a carrier of thalassemia, while nearly 8,000 children are born with the disease each year, placing a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system.

Officials at the event, including health experts and senior government representatives, echoed the need for stronger public awareness campaigns and expanded screening facilities nationwide.

The minister said the government is working through various social safety net and healthcare programmes to improve treatment support for patients, while also emphasizing the role of media in spreading awareness about prevention.

Earlier, he visited wards at the Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation Hospital and spoke with patients about their treatment conditions.