Rotarian Dr. Md. Hemayatul Islam Arif :
Each year, between 6,000 and 13,000 children are born with thalassemia in Bangladesh, highlighting a significant yet under-discussed public health challenge in the country.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormalities in the hemoglobin genes, leading to the body’s inability to produce adequate healthy red blood cells. This condition results in severe anemia, organ damage, and, in many cases, a shortened lifespan without proper medical management.
Understanding Thalassemia
Thalassemia primarily comes in two forms: thalassemia major and thalassemia minor (or trait). Individuals with thalassemia minor typically carry the gene without displaying severe symptoms.
However, when both parents are carriers, there is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that the child will be born with thalassemia major — a life-threatening condition that requires regular blood transfusions and chelation therapy to remove excess iron from the body.
The Scope of the Crisis in Bangladesh
According to estimates by public health experts, approximately 10% of the Bangladeshi population are carriers of the thalassemia gene.
With a population of over 170 million, this translates to around 17 million carriers in the country. The high frequency of carrier status and the general lack of awareness or premarital screening contribute to the birth of 6,000 to 13,000 thalassemia-affected children every year.
This prevalence makes thalassemia one of the most common genetic disorders in Bangladesh. However, despite its frequency, the disease remains largely neglected in terms of public awareness, policy-making, and healthcare infrastructure.
Social and Economic Burden
Thalassemia major is a chronic and costly disease. Patients require regular blood transfusions (every 2–4 weeks) and expensive medications to manage iron overload. The lifetime cost of care can be prohibitive for low-income families, many of whom cannot access quality healthcare. As a result, many affected children face premature death due to complications such as heart failure, liver disease, or infections.
The emotional and financial burden of caring for a thalassemia patient often pushes families into poverty, especially in rural areas where treatment facilities are scarce. In some regions, superstition and stigma further isolate affected individuals.
Challenges in Prevention and Management
Several barriers hinder effective thalassemia prevention and management in Bangladesh:
Lack of public awareness: Most couples are unaware of their carrier status until after having a thalassemia-affected child.
Absence of mandatory screening: There is no national policy requiring premarital or prenatal screening.
Inadequate treatment centers: Few specialized thalassemia care centers exist, and most are located in urban areas.
Shortage of safe blood: Many blood transfusions are sourced from paid donors, increasing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections like hepatitis B and C or HIV.
Steps Toward a Solution
Despite the bleak scenario, thalassemia is largely preventable. Countries like Iran, Cyprus, and Thailand have successfully reduced thalassemia births through national carrier screening programs, public education, and genetic counseling.
Bangladesh can follow suit by:
Implementing nationwide carrier screening programs, especially targeting high-risk populations and educational institutions.
Introducing mandatory premarital counseling and voluntary testing.
Expanding thalassemia treatment centers to district levels and ensuring availability of safe blood transfusion facilities.
Raising public awareness through mass media, schools, and religious institutions to reduce stigma and encourage early diagnosis.
Providing government support for treatment costs and establishing a national thalassemia registry for better data collection and policy planning.
The Role of NGOs and Community-Based Organizations
Several non-governmental organizations, such as Thalassemia Foundation Bangladesh, Sandhani, and Quantum Foundation, are playing pivotal roles in promoting awareness and organizing blood donation drives. However, their efforts need stronger governmental collaboration and funding to scale their operations and impact.
Conclusion
The birth of 6,000 to 13,000 thalassemia-affected children annually is not just a medical concern but a national emergency that demands immediate attention. With strategic intervention, political will, and community engagement, Bangladesh can drastically reduce the burden of thalassemia and ensure that no child suffers unnecessarily from a preventable genetic disorder.
As public health advocates emphasize, awareness is the first vaccine against thalassemia. It’s time for Bangladesh to prioritize this silent crisis and protect future generations through informed policy and compassionate healthcare.
(The author is immediate past president (IPP), Rotary Club of Rajshahi Central DVM, MS in Obstetrics, PhD, PGD in Management and PGT in India, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer
Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
&
President (2023-24), Rotary Club of Rajshahi Central; General Secretary, Bangladesh Livestock Society (BLS)
Joint Executive Editor (Bangladesh livestock journal; ISSN 2409-7691)
Secretary SHUJON,(Rajshahi Metropolitan), President, BBCF, Rajshahi)
