Statistics show that women make up the majority of people currently living with thalassaemia in the Maldives.
A total of 981 people have been registered with Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) as patients requiring blood transfusions. As of 4 August, 668 of the registered patients were currently living with the condition.
Statistics from MBS show that the largest number of patients requiring blood transfusions are from the atolls, with 505 patients, while 163 are from the Malé region. Of the 668 patients currently on the registry, 319 are men, and 349 are women.
Over the past five years, more than 11 people have been registered for blood transfusions each year. In 2025, 11 people were registered with MBS, compared with 18 in 2024 and 22 in 2023. A further 16 people were registered in 2022 and 22 in 2021.
The lowest number of patients requiring blood transfusions was registered in 2020, when five people were added to the registry. Statistics show that seven people have been registered so far this year.
By atoll and relative to population, the highest numbers of people living with thalassaemia are in Noonu Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll, with 55 registered patients in each. Raa Atoll follows with 51 patients, while Laamu Atoll has 44 and Haa Alifu Atoll has 42. Addu City has 30 patients requiring blood transfusions. The statistics show that Vaavu Atoll has no registered patients living with the condition.
Thalassaemia is a lifelong condition. The number of people living with the condition in the Maldives is high relative to the population, and nationwide efforts are therefore underway to address thalassaemia.
One of the Government's key initiatives to increase public awareness and address the rising number of thalassaemia cases has been the introduction of thalassaemia screening for schoolchildren. The Government has also increased the number of children receiving bone marrow transplants at State expense as part of efforts to treat the condition.
To provide further support to people living with thalassaemia, the Government has begun providing Maldivian Blood Services through the Malé City Group of Hospitals at Orange Hiyaa in Hulhumalé. A DNA laboratory has also been established to conduct various tests related to thalassaemia.
Services at the facility also include endocrinology, a specialist clinic for internal medicine and haematology, as well as services provided through the Thalassaemia Patient Care Centre.