Bashir Urges Action Plan for Thalassemia-Free Bangladesh

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Wednesday underscored the need for a comprehensive action plan to eliminate thalassemia from Bangladesh within the next decade. Highlighting the significant financial burden the disease places on families and the healthcare system, he noted that treatment for each thalassemia patient can cost between Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000, potentially leading to a national healthcare expenditure of up to Tk 10,000 crore if even one percent of the country's 10–11 percent carrier population develops the disease.

Speaking as the chief guest at an event marking International Thalassemia Day 2025 at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Bashir emphasized that thalassemia is largely preventable through early screening and increased public awareness. He proposed involving marriage registrars, religious leaders, and school teachers in awareness campaigns, and advocated for mandatory blood screening before marriage to prevent the transmission of the disease.

Bashir reassured that being a thalassemia carrier is not harmful in itself, but the risk arises when two carriers marry. To lead by example, he inaugurated a thalassemia awareness campaign by undergoing a blood test himself and encouraged others to do the same.

The programme was presided over by Professor Dr AKM Azizul Haque, Chairman of the Management Board of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute. Professor Dr Md Selimuzzaman, former Head of Pediatric Medicine at the same institute, attended as a special guest, while the welcome address was delivered by the institute's Director, Professor Dr Md Mahbubul Haque.