Materia Medica Malaysiana

Call to counsel the carriers

The Health Ministry’s best target group for counselling and tests for thalassaemia (excessive build-up of iron in the body) carriers are Form Four students, said Federation of Malaysian Thalassaemia Societies president Ramli Mohd Yunus.
This way, he said, the number of thalassaemia sufferers, could be reduced from the current 2,500 reported nationwide.
Ramli said as Form Four students have no major examinations to prepare for, they will have time for counselling sessions on the consequences of the disease which could be passed on to their children.
“It was reported in local dailies yesterday that the Government has allocated RM25.5 million for treatment of the disease, including tracking down the three to five per cent of Malaysians who are carriers.
Another RM19.9 million has been set aside as one-off aid to help the poor buy equipment and obtain medication.
The Ministry’s mission is also to advise carriers about the hazards of the disease which involves lifelong and expensive treatment.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had said the Ministry is tracing the three to five per cent of Malaysians who are carriers, which is likely to be more than 600,000.
As part of that exercise, he said the Ministry would also check secondary schools for genetic carriers, with a view to counsel them on the anaemic disease.
Ramli said the federation will support the Ministry’s efforts to visit schools to conduct blood-screening in schools.
The federation, comprising members of the respective thalassaemia societies, parents, patients and paramedics will continue to hold talks and counselling sessions.
Ramli said, treating thalassaemia patients is a costly affair and treatment can come up to RM1,000 a month.
“For instance, the drug, Desferal costs RM13.40 per vial and this requires a RM2,000 infusion pump,” he said.