"Economic Recession: Observe – Joint Forces – Safeguard Health"
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder affecting the blood cells. It is characterized by decline, below the natural rate, in both the red blood corpuscles and the level of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. Therefore, the decline of hemoglobin triggers severe anemia.
The signs and symptoms of thalassemia vary in accordance with the type and severity of the disease. As such, some babies show signs and symptoms of thalassemia at birth; whereas others may develop signs or symptoms during the first two years of their life. Some children with an affected hemoglobin gene don't develop any thalassemia symptoms.
The World Thalassemia Day is celebrated on the eighth of May every year. This year's Day is held under the theme: "Economic Recession: Observe – Joint Forces – Safeguard Health". 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 educate patients, their families and the public with the nature of this disease, how to live with it, and how to prevent it. Within this framework, the MOH has obligated all soon to get married to undergo premarital screening, in an endeavor to protect the generations to come against genetic disorders, including thalassemia.
Local Statistics:
Based on the statistics of the MOH's Healthy Marriage Program, 100 cases of thalassemia are recorded every year, whereas the total number of the campaign-a based case reached 4500 cases.
Approved Date:
Internationally Approved Date: May 8th, 2014
Locally Approved Date: Rajab 9th, 1435H
Theme of the World Thalassemia Day 2014:
"Economic Recession: Observe – Joint Forces – Safeguard Health"
World Thalassemia Day 2014 Logo:
Targeted Groups:
- Patients with thalassemia (both children and adults).
- Patients' families.
- Health professionals such as (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health educationists, etc.).
- Educationists such as (teachers, social workers, etc.).
- Health decision-makers.
- Health societies and institutions.
- The public.
Major Health Messages:
- Raising and boosting the public awareness on thalassemia; its nature, ways of protection, and the medical care forthcoming in the region.
- Promoting and enhancing the studies and researches in terms of the field of thalassemia care and prevention.
- Disseminating information, expertise, and effective programs on thalassemia around the world.
- Helping patients get access to the available healthcare.
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