Let’s Fight Against Blood Disorder on World Thalassemia Day

• Written by Rashmi Rai

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Every year May 8th is celebrated as World Thalassemia Day to educate people, support patients and honour the efforts of medical professionals. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects millions of people around the globe. This disorder is common in people from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean countries. Thalassemia Awareness Day is celebrated to ensure equal access to treatment for all thalassemia patients. In this blog, we will learn about Thalassemia day theme, history and importance, along with some key details about Thalassemia. Let’s begin!

World Thalassemia Day Theme, History and Importance

World Thalassemia Day theme for the year 2024 is ‘Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All.’ 

The theme for Thalassemia Awareness Day this year focuses on:

• Providing equal access to all advanced treatment options irrespective of their location and status.
• Providing affordable therapies, medication, and care to all people suffering from thalassemia. 
• To spread awareness about thalassemia care and prevention.
• To ask governments to increase investment in research for better treatment options.

History

Thalassemia International Federation (TIF), a non-profit organisation founded by Mr. Panos, established and organised World Thalassemia Day for the first time in the year 1994. This day was organised in memory of George, the son of Mr. Panos, who died due to thalassemia.

Importance

World Thalassemia Day plays an important role in:

• Educating people about the causes and symptoms of thalassemia and the prevention of it.
• Raising awareness about the challenges and needs of the people suffering from thalassemia.
• Providing economic support to the patients and their families in dealing with the disorder.
• Promoting research in gene or stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplants as potential cures for this blood disorder.

Knowing Thalassemia? 

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that is passed from parents to children. 

This disorder is caused by a mutation in the haemoglobin-producing cells of the DNA. As a result, the body does not produce enough proteins to make haemoglobin and the blood has reduced levels of haemoglobin, affecting the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cells. 

Symptoms of Thalassemia

Thalassemia deprives body cells of oxygen and thus causes these symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Low immunity
• Slow growth
• Bone deformities
• Pale skin
• Swelling in legs and abdomen

The symptoms may range from mild to severe, depending on the types of thalassemia.

Types of Thalassemia

Depending on the severity of the condition, thalassemia can be categorised as trait or minor and intermedia or major. 

• People with thalassemia trait do not require any treatment and are asymptomatic. Such people are the carriers of the disorder and can pass the trait to their children. Their one gene is affected which means they have one carrier parent and one normal parent.
• People with thalassemia intermedia have moderate symptoms and do not require any blood transfusions. Its symptoms include enlarged spleen, delayed growth and weak bones.
• Major thalassemia is the most severe form and requires blood transfusions or stem cell transplants. It happens when a person has two mutated genes, one from each parent. Such people have bone deformities and fail to produce normal haemoglobin.

Haemoglobin is made of two proteins called alpha globin and beta globin. Depending on the production of these two proteins, thalassemia is classified into two types:

• Alpha Thalassemia happens when the production of alpha globin is affected by a gene mutation.
• Beta Thalassemia happens when the production of beta globin is affected by a gene mutation.

Treat Thalassemia with Care Health Insurance 

In India, every year, more than 10,000 newborn babies are affected with thalassemia major. Blood transfusions and medication are no longer the only treatment options for thalassemia major. Bone marrow transplant is a permanent cure left as it can regenerate new RBCs and cure the disease completely. However, the cost of transplants can be too high and unaffordable for middle-income groups. 

With health insurance coverage from Care Health Insurance, you can get the financial support you need to carry on the treatment.  Some of our health insurance plans including Care Freedom and Care Plus cover modern treatments like stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplants for haematological conditions. Therefore, having a comprehensive health insurance policy that covers bone marrow transplants can be a great relief for patients and their families. Following the theme of this year’s World Thalassemia Day, Care Health Insurance assures that you will receive the best possible treatment for thalassemia without worrying about the costs.

>> Also Read: Health Insurance Offer Coverage for Annual Health Checkups?

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.