Campaign to eradicate thalassaemia disease

by Stanley Seneviratne - Kurunegala North Group Cor.

Provincial health official have launched a campaign to eradicate the thalassaemia disease in the North Western Province.

The campaign will cover 29 health offices in the province where children over 16 and couples on the threshold of marriage will be diagnosed to see whether they could fall victim to the disease.

Around 700 people are suffering from thalassaemia in the province and the health officials estimate that the cost of treating a thalassaemia patient is around Rs. 500,000.At the launch of the program Dr. R.N.B.K. Ratnayake said that people prone to the disease should avoid marriage with a partner who is free of the disease.

It is proposed to issue a rose coloured card to those prone to the illness while a green card would be issued to those proving negative.

A people’s foundation has allocated Rs. 130,000 for the program, according to its Chairman Jaliya Kulasuriya.

The program was launched by the Wayamba Governor Tissa. R. Balalle and Provincial Minister of Health Asoka Wadigamangawa.

Officials of the Health sector were also present.