“The right for quality health care of every patient with thalassaemia: major and beyond”
Thalassaemia is a genetic disorder affecting blood cells; i.e., it is passed from parent to child and is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world. This condition is caused by changes to the genes that control the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body – changes affecting hemoglobin result in severe anemia.
The signs and symptoms of thalassemia vary in accordance with the type and severity of the disease. Some babies show signs and symptoms of thalassemia at birth; others may develop signs or symptoms during the first two years of life. Some people who have only one affected hemoglobin gene don't experience any thalassemia symptoms.
The World Thalassaemia Day is celebrated on 8th May every year . This year's day is held under the them: “The right for quality health care of every patient with thalassaemia: major and beyond”. It is intended to give rise to patients' rights, and facilitate their access to health services. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has organized an awareness campaign meant to familiarize patients, their families and the public with the nature of this disease, how to live with it, and how to avoid it. Within this framework, the MOH has obligated all couples about to marry to undergo premarital examinations, seeking to protect the coming generations against genetic disorders, including thalassaemia.
Local Statistics:
Based on the statistics of the MOH's Healthy Marriage Program since 1425 H, the result was as follows:
| More than 2.5 million |
1.5 % |
0.04 % |
|---|
Internationally Approved Date: 8/5/2013
Locally Approved Date: 28/6/1434H
Theme:
“The right for quality health care of every patient with thalassaemia: major and beyond”
Targeted Groups:
- Patients with thalassaemia (both children and adults).
- Patients' families.
- Health workers (physicians, pharmacists, health educationists, etc.).
- Education workers (teachers, social workers, etc.).
- Health decision-makers.
- Health societies and institutions.
- The public.
Major Health Messages:
- Raising public awareness on the thalassaemia; its nature, and the ways to avoid it.
- Promoting and enhancing the studies and researches that have to do with the prevention of thalassaemia.
- Familiarizing people with the successful programs and experience in controlling thalassaemia around the world.
- Helping patients get access to the available healthcare.
World Thalassemia Day 2013 Logo:
Related Links:
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