Updated 16 September 2008
With the successful completion of Thalassaemia screening in Zanzibar, Lindi and Mtwara Jamaats, the Central Health Board (CHB) of Africa will now be rolling out screening in Dar-es-Salaam, Arusha, and Moshi after the month Ramadhan.
Registration for eligible candidates will take place during the Ramadhan in all of these three cities. Children, youth, engaged and young married couples are all eligible for screening. Parents are urged to take this matter seriously and encourage their children to undergo screening.
This screening project is fully supported by The World Federation and The Africa Federation. Screening is free for our community members.
Over 250 million people worldwide are affected by Thalassaemia with a further 100,000 Thalassaemic major patients being born every year. Shockingly it occurs more commonly in India, Pakistan, Africa and other Asian countries.
Studies have shown that in the Indo-Pakistan region, the prevalence of Thalassaemia major is between 10 to 15%. Because of our direct ancestry line from these population groups, the prevalence of Thalassaemia has now increased within our communities in Africa and other parts of the world.
What is Thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disease in which the body has trouble making the normal type and amount of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a substance needed by red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues. Insufficient haemoglobin results in insufficient supply of oxygen to the body parts. This results in organs being starved for oxygen, and unable to function properly.
There are two types of Thalassaemia diseases:
- Alpha Thalassaemia - This is the minor type of Thalassaemia, which is not harmful.
- Beta Thalassaemia -This is the more fatal and more common of the two Thalassaemias. It can be life threatening, especially for infants and children. Most Thalassaemia major patients require regular blood transfusions every 2-4 weeks and daily injections to control iron overload in their bodies.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase the risks of Thalassaemia include: -
- Family history - Thalassaemia is an inherent disease passed on from parent to child through genetic transfer.
- Ancestry - Those at risk of Thalassaemia are mostly of Middle Eastern, Asian, and African ancestries.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms depend on the type and severity of Thalassaemia. These include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, jaundiced skin, facial bone deformities, as well as dark urine. Some babies show signs and symptoms at birth, while others may not develop signs or symptoms until they are about 6 -12 months.
How Thalassaemia is passed on (INHERITED) from PARENTS TO CHILDREN
Normal: Normal people are normal because they have two normal genes for haemoglobin, inherited from both the parents.
Healthy carriers of Thalassaemia trait: These people have one normal gene for haemoglobin and one altered gene. They are healthy as one gene is working well and at least one of their parents must be a carrier.
Thalassaemia major: People with Thalassaemia major have two altered genes for haemoglobin, one inherited from each parent; so both the parents must be carriers.
Managing Thalassemia
With education and awareness schemes, Thalassaemia can largely be managed and prevented. Any normal looking male or female could be a carrier of Thalassaemia.
Get yourself tested to know your status
- Pre-marital Thalassaemia testing and counselling are effective preventive methods.
- Avoid marrying another carrier, if you are also a carrier.
- After marriage, if Thalassaemic traits are identified in couples, it is important to seek counselling in order to effectively manage potential Thalassaemia cases.
- Donate blood to Thalassaemic patients who regularly require blood transfusions.
- Education and increasing awareness levels are key ingredients towards understanding Thalassaemia and effectively managing the disorder within different communities.
For more information, please email chb@cats-net.com