The Maldives Blood Services (MBS) has announced plans to establish a DNA testing laboratory in the new facility of the National Thalassemia Centre in Hulhumale’.
Speaking to PSM News, Specialist Registrar in Pediatrics at MBS Dr. Ahmed Umar explained that the new facility will provide services to children with Thalassemia and house a separate blood bank. He said the new facility will also feature an increased bed capacity, surpassing the 26 beds in two wards in the current facility. He also said that the new facility aims to offer testing and blood transfusion services dedicated to managing thalassemia in the Maldives.
Additionally, Dr. Umar highlighted the necessity of DNA testing, citing uncertainties in thalassemia diagnoses in some cases. He said that DNA testing is exclusively conducted by the Society for Health Education (SHE). He, however, said that plans are underway to establish a specialised DNA testing laboratory in the new facility.
The government decided to construct a new facility for the National Thalassemia Centre in Hulhumale' in order to upgrade the services provided by the facility and resolve the difficulties faced by children with thalassemia in seeking services from the current facility established in Male’ City. The current facility of the centre has been in use since 1994. Concerns regarding the lack of space and resources at the centre have been repeatedly shared with authorities by parents of children undergoing thalassemia treatment.
In the Maldives, approximately 650 children are currently undergoing treatment for thalassemia, with 300 of them residing in the Greater Male' Region. The atolls with the highest numbers of children affected by Thalassemia include Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Shaviyani Atoll, Noonu Atoll, Raa Atoll, Thaa Atoll, and Laamu Atoll. In addition, children with Thalassemia can be found in locations such as Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll, Kulhudhuffushi City, and Fuvahmulah City. The Maldives currently has the highest proportion of thalassemia-affected children globally.