Gov’t Unveils 10-Year Thalassemia Prevention and Control Masterplan
The government has launched a ten-year masterplan to prevent and control thalassemia, marking a significant step in the Maldives’ public health strategy.
The plan was officially inaugurated last night by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef at a ceremony held at Crossroads Maldives. The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a specialised hospital dedicated to children with thalassemia, aligning with President Dr Muizzu’s commitment to healthcare advancement.
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Vice President Uz @HucenSembe launches the Thalassemia Prevention and Control Master Plan 2024-2034 in the Maldives, which will enhance services for people with thalassemia over the next decade. At tonight’s launching function, an MoU was signed to build a hospital specialised in… pic.twitter.com/mKBCLdSzkF— The President's Office (@presidencymv) October 15, 2024
Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Abdulla Nazim highlighted the masterplan as a milestone in the Maldives’ health sector. He emphasised that effective disease prevention relies on a coordinated, integrated system, with the thalassemia masterplan designed to encompass the full spectrum of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
According to Minister Nazim, the masterplan sets out seven strategic goals: enhancing policy and governance frameworks, promoting early detection and prevention, providing quality care, supporting research-driven treatment, and establishing an integrated data system to monitor thalassemia management across the country.
Reflecting on recent achievements, Minister Nazim noted that significant progress had been made over the last decade to improve thalassemia management, including increased efforts to screen children with thalassemia and to raise awareness among school students. He added that 14 children had been sent abroad in the past 10 months for bone marrow transplants, and a new mobile application was introduced to streamline blood donations for thalassemia patients.
