Around 2,500 Thalassemia patients in Sri Lanka; 45–60 new cases annually: Health Ministry

Colombo, May 8 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka currently has around 2,500 registered thalassemia patients, with an additional 45 to 60 children newly diagnosed each year, Non-Communicable Diseases Unit of the Health Ministry Director Dr. Srini Alahapperuma said.

Addressing the media, she said that the country operates 15 dedicated thalassemia treatment centres, while carrier status can be identified through a simple full blood count test, enabling early detection and intervention.

Meanwhile, Specialist in Hematology at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Dr. Nipunika Senadhira, said that bone marrow transplantation is being carried out as a method of treatment and potential cure for thalassemia patients at the hospital in Borella. However, she stressed that prevention remains the most crucial approach in addressing the disease burden.

Dr. Senadhira further emphasized that young women, in particular, must pay close attention to screening and prevention measures before marriage to reduce the risk of passing on the condition.

Medical Officer-in-Charge of the Ragama Thalassemia Treatment Unit, Mrs. Soumya Warnakulasuriya, said her centre is prepared to provide treatment services to thalassemia patients from across the island. She added that efforts are underway to further expand facilities to strengthen patient care services.