News Flash
DHAKA, May 8, 2025 (BSS) – Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) today observed World Thalassemia Day 2025 with due ceremony.
The day's event commenced with a vibrant rally that started at the B Block Fountain of BMU and concluded after parading important places across the campus.
BMU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) Professor Dr Md Mujibur Rahman Hawlader inaugurated it by releasing balloons, said a press release.
BMU Treasurer Professor Dr Nahreen Akhtar and Dean of the Faculty of Children, Professor Dr Md Atiar Rahman were present as special guests, with Professor Dr Md Anwarul Karim, Chairman of Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology in the chair.
The theme of the day is “Together for Thalassemia Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients”
The rally saw participation from teachers, doctors, residents, and nurses from various departments, including Paediatric Haematology and Oncology and Transfusion Medicine. Additionally, leaders from the Haematology Society of Bangladesh joined the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Mujibur Rahman Howlader said the need for preventive measures, including raising public awareness about the disease must be implemented. He stressed that educational initiatives at the school level should begin to help prevent its spread.
BMU has intensified research on blood diseases, and significant progress has been made toward establishing a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Centre, he said mentioning that ECNEC has already approved the proposal.
“Once fully operational, the centre will allow many patients with blood-related illnesses to receive treatment locally instead of seeking medical care abroad,” said BMU Pro-VC.
Noting that Thalassemia is a genetic disease, Nahrin Akhtar said that it is necessary to stop marriage between two carriers of Thalassemia to prevent this disease. It is possible to identify carriers of Thalassemia through screening, she added.
Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Chairman Professor Dr Md. Anwarul Karim highlighted a new breakthrough in Thalassemia treatment, stating that patients are now receiving medication alongside blood transfusions. He emphasized that this approach is yielding promising results, making treatment more effective.
Thalassemia is a congenital disease that causes anaemia, often leading to life-threatening complications due to lack of blood. The only cure is bone marrow transplantation (BMT), but this procedure remains inaccessible to most patients due to the shortage of suitable donors, limited medical resources, and high treatment costs.
As a result, patients rely on lifelong blood transfusions, which are essential for their survival. However, challenges in ensuring safe blood transfusion mean that affected individuals often struggle to maintain a completely healthy life.
Bangladesh has an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 Thalassemia patients, with 6 to 10 new cases emerging annually. Additionally, 1.5-2 crore people in the country are Thalassemia carriers.
To prevent the spread of the disease, the government should consider enacting legislation to prohibit marriage between two carriers. This measure could significantly reduce the prevalence of Thalassemia and protect future generations. A Thalassemia patient poses challenges at family, social, and economic levels.
Every month, approximately 500 paediatric patients receive treatment at the outpatient department of the Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Division at BMU.
On this special occasion, all relevant departments have reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing medical care for Thalassemia patients at BMU in a unified manner.
