Government has launched the Thalassemia Screening Programme at a special event held this morning. To begin with, the programme will focus on covering all Grade 10 students.
The government has held the inauguration of the Thalassemia Screening Programme this morning.
State Minister Aishath Safoora was the guest of honour at the event.
The programme will be run through the collaboration of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Maldivian Blood Services.
It was announced that this programme will focus on covering screening of all students currently studying in Grade 10.
As such, it was announced today that the programme will commence with screening of Arabiyya School's Grade 10 students.
On February 1, Minister of Health Dr Abdulla Khaleel announced the launching of a nation-wide Thalassemia testing and awareness drive.
Under this campaign, awareness programmes will be conducted at government offices, companies and private organizations.
The Health Ministry said that similar awareness programmes will be held within the next four months for students in schools in the Greater Male' area, announcing even at the time that screening of Grade 10 students will be initiated soon.
He said that there are currently 650 children who require regular blood transfusions.
The Thalassemia Prevention Law, enacted in 2012, mandates that all parents bear the responsibility of ensuring their children are tested for being thalassemia carriers before the age of 18. However, this law is not often abided by.
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