Sixty two Thalassaemia babies born in Lanka annually

Nadira Gunatilleke

There are 2,000 Thalassaemia patients in Sri Lanka at present while around 62 infants are born with Thalassaemia annually. North Central, North Western, Uva, Central and Western provinces are the most affected, Paediatrician Prof. Sanath Lamabadusuriya said.

Addressing the media at a seminar on Thalassaemia at the Health Education Bureau, Colombo yesterday, Prof Lamabadusuriya said around 50 Thalassaemia patients visit Kurunegala hospital for blood transfusion daily. The Government spent nearly Rs 145 million for Thalassaemia treatment in 2008. Sri Lanka is the only country in the region which offers free treatment.

According to Prof. Lamabadusuriya there are five HPLC machines needed to screen Thalassaemia patients in hospitals in the most affected areas.

Two more HPLC machines are needed for screening in the Southern and Eastern Provinces. The Health Ministry maintains a registry of Thalassaemia patients to carry out screening and treatment, Prof Lamabadusuriya said. m