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International Thalassemia Day `07 observed in Bangladesh |
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Thursday, 31 May 2007 |
 Poster
This year the day was marked by joint programs arranged by different organizations working on thalassemia. The association of Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation and Hematology Society of Bangladesh with an aim to promote “Standard and Quality Care” among the physicians and patients is first time ever in Bangladesh and will have a great impact in the field of thalassemia care in the country. Another important progress was made by involvement of the telecommunication giant Grameenphone in the event by patronizing Bangladesh Thalassemia Society.
 Rally
The day started with a rally that paraded different city streets near Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in the morning jointly organized by Bangladesh Society of Haematology, Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation (BTF), Thalassemia Welfare Society (TWS) and Thalassemia Foundation Bangladesh (TFB).
 Health advisor
A discussion followed at BIRDEM Hospital auditorium that Adviser to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Dr. ASM Matiur Rahman attended as the chief guest. Expressing concern over the increasing rate of thalassemia patients in the country the adviser said "The number of thalassemia patients is increasing day by day due to lack of proper knowledge about the disease". The adviser urged all to check blood before marriage as children of thalassemia carrier parents are at higher risk of thalassemia. Responding to an appeal of Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation, the advisor assured tax exemption on the iron chelator drugs (Desferal, Kelfer and Exjade), leukocyte reduction filters and other accessories. The advisor asked the participating organizations to come up with a recommendation which he will pursue within the government.
Prof. MA Khan, Secretary General of Bangladesh Society of Hematology, in his welcome address emphasized on taking measures on prevention and asked for establishing well-equipped Hematology department in all medical colleges and hospitals to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment of the disease. The speakers underscored the need for eliminating superstitions and suggested to consult specialist doctors.
 Jubair speaking in the program
Fifteen-year-old Jubair, a thalassemia patient said he found that, in most cases, physicians working with thalassemia patients were hopeless. ‘They misbehave with the patients and always say, “You will not survive for long”. Such unkind words frustrate the patients as well as their relatives.’ Jubair urged the physicians concerned to behave positively with thalassemia patients. Dr. Robin's presentation
Dr. Md. Abdur Rahim Robin, Secretary General of Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation said this is the beginning of new era of thalassemia treatment in Bangladesh as the physicians and patients started working together to improve the situation. He added thalassemia patients with proper treatment and support remains healthy compared to any other child and can live an active and productive life.
Bangladesh Thalassemia Society, Medicine Club and Grameenphone jointly organised another discussion at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in the city to raise awareness on thalassemia and provide a platform for thalassemia patients to voice their concerns.
Health adviser also attended the discussion as the chief guest while National Professor MR Khan, Managing Director of Grameenphone Erik Aas, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BSMMU Prof MA Mannan and Adviser of Bangladesh Thalassemia Society Syed Didar Bakht also spoke.
 Part of the audience
While presenting the keynote paper, Prof. Abid Hossain Mollah of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital said the burden of the disease could be reduced by creating a mass awareness on it. “We can offer a comfortable life to thalassemia patients by providing them with proper treatment and regular blood transfusion” he added. The speakers also urged people to donate blood regularly as 13 percent of the professional donors are found suffering from Hepatitis B and C that could be hazardous for the patients. They also stressed the need for a DNA laboratory and demanded the caretaker government increase budget allocation in health sector. Although almost 1.1 crore people in the country are thalassemia carrier, there is no national policy to combat thalassemia, speakers said at the discussion.
In his speech, Erik Aas, reaffirmed Grameenphone's commitment to raise public consciousness regarding the disorder, and continue GP's efforts to organize blood collection drives, with a special focus on the economically challenged Thalassaemia patients of Bangladesh. He added, "As a responsible corporate house in Bangladesh, Grameenphone is committed to addressing the needs of the country in its race for development, especially in addressing some of the healthcare needs of our country."
* Reference: W A Khan et al. (2005) Dhaka Shishu (Child) Hospital Journal 2005;21(1):1-7
Presentations & Photo gallery –
- Keynote speech at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (N/A)
by
Dr. Abid hossain Mollah
Professor and Head of Pediatrics, Dhaka Medical College
- Keynote speech at BIRDEM Auditorium
by
Dr. Amin Luthful Kabir
Scientific Secretary, Hematology Society of Bangladesh
Assistant Professor of Hematology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University
- Presentation on Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation
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Dr. Md. Abdur Rahim Robin
Secretary General
Bangladesh Thalassemia Foundation
- Presentation by Dr. Sumon, Advisor of Medicine Club (N/A)
- Photos Gallery on International Thalassemia Day `07 (under construction)
Related weblinks – ___
May 8, 2007 |
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May 2008 |
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খবর 
