Thalassaemia on the decline


Dr Zilfalil: Government intervention has reduced the prevalence of thalassaemia in Malaysia, through systematic screening of those in secondary school, among others.

PETALING JAYA: The incidence of thalassaemia in Malaysia is on the decline due to more screening and awareness campaigns.

With one in 20 individuals being a carrier of thalassaemia here, screening pregnant women or their newborns has proven to be an invaluable tool in reducing the prevalence of this condition that seems to affect Sabahans more than others, said Prof Dr Zilfalil Alwi, who is with Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Health Campus.

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