Good morning everyone,
Today, I stand before you to speak about World Thalassaemia Day, observed globally on May 8th every year. This day is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder—a global call—to raise awareness about Thalassaemia, a serious inherited blood disorder.
Thalassaemia affects the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin and red blood cells. These are vital for carrying oxygen through the body. People with Thalassaemia often suffer from anemia, weakness, fatigue, and in severe cases, organ damage.
This disease is genetic, meaning it is passed from parents to children. A child gets the condition only if both parents carry the thalassaemia gene. It is more common in certain parts of the world, including South Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.
The theme for World Thalassaemia Day 2025 is “Equity, Access, Cure”—a powerful message calling for equal healthcare opportunities for all. It emphasizes that no one should be denied treatment due to cost, geography, or lack of awareness.
One of the strongest tools in fighting Thalassaemia is prevention. A simple blood test can identify if someone is a carrier of the gene. When both parents are carriers, there’s a 25% chance the child will be born with Thalassaemia. Therefore, awareness and screening are key.
The burden of Thalassaemia is not just medical, but emotional and financial as well. Patients often need lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. These treatments are exhausting, expensive, and come with their own side effects. That’s why we must also focus on curative options like bone marrow transplants and gene therapy, which offer hope for a better future.
Governments and health organizations must work together. Public health campaigns, screening programs, and accessible treatments are crucial in managing and eventually eradicating this disease.
But this mission is not just for doctors or scientists. It is for all of us. We must educate, support, and advocate. Let’s encourage people to get tested. Let’s support Thalassaemia patients and their families. Let’s push for a world where no child has to suffer from a preventable disease.
In conclusion, World Thalassaemia Day is a chance to reflect, learn, and act. We honor the strength of patients and families. We recognize the hard work of healthcare professionals. And most importantly, we commit ourselves to spreading awareness and working for a Thalassaemia-free future.
Thank you.