Plaques have been conferred for contributions made by individuals to improve services for thalassemia patients.

This was done during the ceremony held to commemorate World Thalassemia Day 2024 on Wednesday.

The ceremony was officiated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and was held at the Social Center’s hall.

President Muizzu conferred plaques of service to two organizations for their contributions made to improve services for those with thalassemia including the Society for Health Education (SHE) and the Maldivian Thalassemia Society.

Plaques were also presented to three individuals who made exceptional contributions to the expansion of services for thalassemia patients. They are Nasreena Ibrahim, Dr. Naaila Ibrahim Mohamed Didi and the late Dr. Faruzana Khaathoon.

In addition to this, FL Sajidha presented plaques of service to six individuals for dedicating more than 20 years to the Maldivian Blood Services. They are enrolled nurses Fauziyya Ali and Nasriyya Yoosuf, Registered Nurse Mariyam Rasheeda Ali, Senior Laboratory Technologist Shifa Ibrahim, Attendant Fareeda and Medical Laboratory Technician Hawwa Naseer.

The ceremony featured a video presentation honoring World Thalassemia Day as well as a video report that featured the initiatives to individuals and NGOs to increase access to thalassemia services were screened.

In accordance with the president’s pledge, children with thalassemia are presently receiving free bone marrow transplant treatments abroad, with the government covering all expenses.

The President’s Office revealed that the government continues to prioritize ensuring the availability of medicines and supplies for children with thalassemia in outlying atolls.

President Muizzu’s pledge to improve thalassemia treatment services also includes plans for a specialized hospital in the Greater Malé Region.

A plot of land has been allocated for the construction of the hospital, in Hulhumalé Phase II. The president has ensured the hospital will be completed swiftly.

The theme for World thalassemia Day 2024 mirrors around empowering people with thalassemia, advancing treatment, raising awareness, and advocating for positive change.

President Muizzu announced the decision to enable free bone marrow transplants in the government’s efforts to broaden the services offered to Thalassemia patients, back in December 2023.

During deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Health during a cabinet meeting, the cabinet recommended to facilitate free bone marrow transplants and strengthen and expand services for Thalassemia patients, which was approved by the president.

The administration’s ‘Hafthaa 14’ roadmap offers key components such as enhancing healthcare services offered to Thalassemia patients as well as facilitating government sponsorship for bone marrow transplants of eligible Thalassemia patients.

The cabinet thoroughly reviewed the proposal and reached the decision to instruct the State Trading Organization (STO) to ensure the availability of essential medicines and consumables for Thalassemia patients and facilitate coverage via the Aasandha health insurance scheme.

Further, the cabinet approved a short-term expedited assessment process for finalizing Thalassemia patients requiring bone marrow transplants as part of a strategic initiative to establish a sustainable framework for government-sponsored transplants.

As such the cabinet set a number of eligible Thalassemia patients that would be sponsored for overseas transplant procedures annually, and to support ten patients annually by 2028.

President Muizzu decided to establish a specialized hospital exclusively for treating Thalassemia patients following approval from the cabinet and it was also resolved to incorporate additional facilities within this hospital.

In addition to this, these facilities will include 'T2*' testing services, a critical diagnostic tool patients previously had to seek from private hospitals.

The president also decided to include DNA testing under the approved list of treatments covered under the Aasandha Scheme, after considering the peripheral issues related to the increase of Thalassemia patients.

DNA testing is a carrier screening process used to identify Thalassemia inheritance.

The cabinet also approved the implementation of Thalassemia awareness programmes, enhancing testing and screening of Thalassemia in the Maldives.