National registry being set up for thalassemia patients

NST KUALA LUMPUR: In a move to tackle the growing number of thalassemia cases, the Health Ministry is setting up a national registry of such patients.
This is part of its four-prong programme to deal with the growing problem.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the web-based registry to capture data on the number of patients and the clinical characteristics and complications caused by the condition is being prepared.
It will be completed by early next year, he added in his speech at the International Thalassemia Day celebration here. It was read by his deputy, Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad.
The pilot project is being conducted at three major hospitals - Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Malaya Medical Centre.