Bangladesh first lady champions Thalassemia awareness and blood donation

Bangladesh first lady Zubaida Rahman, a physician, called for greater public awareness, blood donation and early detection to support people living with Thalassemia.

Rahman, a cardiologist and vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, spoke at a blood donor recognition ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Samity at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka. She also presented awards to donors and organizations.

Rahman is the wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

“Through humanitarian initiatives, including standing by the families of the patients, the Thalassaemia situation can be improved. It is necessary to provide cooperation and reassurance to families affected by Thalassaemia,” said the first lady. “They are not aware that Thalassaemia is a preventable disease. They are not aware about the correct treatment for Thalassaemia; through treatment, even severely affected individuals can lead a healthy life.”

She proposed training 100,000 new health workers to identify patients in villages and districts. Rahman said her daughter regularly donates blood and has made seven voluntary donations, offering a personal example to encourage others.

Bangladesh is estimated to have 60,000 to 70,000 Thalassaemia patients, while as many as 17 million to 22 million people may carry a gene associated with the inherited blood disorder. Thousands of affected children are born in the country each year.