Book Exhibition highlights danger of thalassaemia

by Nilma DOLE

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A special awareness programme on thalassaemia prevention was the highlight of the Book Festival 2008 which was opened yesterday at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

The Minister said that education and awareness is vital to prevent diseases like thalassaemia.

"We hope people who come to the exhibition will understand the threat of thalassaemia in Sri Lanka and check if they have it" he said. Under the guidance of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva and Mass Media and Information Minister, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa also pledged their support.

"We are doing free screening tests which will show whether a person is at risk of getting thalassaemia," said Dr. Amunugama Premaratne of the Ragama Teaching Hospital.

"In Sri Lanka, 2,500 patients are affected with thalassaemia and between 500 to 1 million are believed to be carriers of the gene that causes thalassaemia", said Dr. Premaratne.

He said that it costs the government Rs.1 million to keep a thalassaemia patient alive but it could be prevented if safe detection before marriage is done. "Thalassaemia patients have to get blood transfusions everyday via a specially-designed pump which is unbearable, especially for children", said Dr.Premaratne.

Organising the event was actor and singer Kamal Addaraarachchi who said "As artists, we must support charitable causes like this to help society".

He mentioned that the reason to create awareness on thalassaemia prevention is because it is a growing disease in Sri Lanka that affects the genes.

"People should check their blood and make wise decisions before marriage because it is their children who will be affected" he said.