President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has approved the Cabinet's recommendation to facilitate free bone marrow transplants and strengthen and expand services for Thalassaemia patients following deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Health to the Cabinet.
Following the decision, the government will now support free bone marrow transplants and expand services for Thalassaemia patients. This move aligns with the 'Hafuthaa 14' roadmap, a key focus of the Administration.
The State Trading Organization (STO) will play a crucial role, ensuring the availability of essential medicines for Thalassaemia patients and extending Aasandha Scheme coverage. To fast-track bone marrow transplants, a short-term expedited assessment process has been approved, targeting a sustainable framework for government-sponsored transplants. The goal is to support ten patients annually by 2028 through overseas transplant procedures.
In a landmark decision, President Muizzu has also initiated the establishment of a specialized hospital exclusively for Thalassaemia patients. This facility will house additional services, including 'T2*' testing, a vital diagnostic tool previously only accessible through private hospitals.
Addressing the broader concerns related to Thalassaemia, DNA testing has been included in the list of treatments covered by the Aasandha Scheme. DNA testing is a crucial screening process for Thalassaemia inheritance.
To further tackle Thalassaemia-related challenges, the Cabinet has given the nod for awareness programs, along with an intensified testing and screening initiative across the Maldives.