Awareness about thalassemia important for couples

KOTA KINABALU: Couples planning to get married are encouraged to first get a health screening and test for thalassemia.

Political secretary to the Chief Minister Datuk Redonah Bahanda said this is so that couples can find out whether they have Thalassemia or not, or whether they are carriers of this disease.

This is also so that couples wishing to start a family can plan ahead and make proper arrangements with their health status clear and known.

Sabah has been listed as the state with the highest number of thalassemia cases in the country.

Redonah said in cases where individuals have been detected with thalassemia or if they are found to be carriers, the roles of family members and the community are very important in helping the patient receive treatment.

Here, she said blood donors are very much needed as thalassemia patients need a continuous supply of blood for transfusions and treatment depending on the severity of their condition.

“Awareness programmes and campaigns on thalassemia, prevention and coping mechanisms are very important in addressing this matter as well,” she added.

Redonaha said this during a programme held to create awareness of thalassemia, blood donation and related activities in Kota Marudu district recently.

During the programme, a total of 68 pints of blood were collected while 500 food baskets were distributed.