Combating
Thalassaemia in the Maldives
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What
is It?
Thalassaemia is an anaemic blood disorder.
A thalassaemia victim typically suffers from a chronic
condition wherein the bone marrow is unable to produce
sufficient quantities of healthy red blood cells
and in the event that blood cells |
are produced, they are either deformed or empty.
This malfunction results in blood cells not being
able to carry oxygen to required parts of the body
and there is also a dire lack of iron that hinders
the essential re-production of healthy blood cells
consistently.
The most severe form of this disease is Thalassaemia
Major (scientifically known as Beta Thalassaemia)
– it is |
 |
| lethal
and people who are infected with this type of Thalassaemia
normally do not live beyond 20 years of age in the
Maldives. |
How Is It Transmitted?
Another type of this disorder is called
Thalassaemia Minor or Trait. Thalassaemia Minor
sufferers are mainly carriers of the disease, they
are generally healthy and only a handful of them
are afflicted with slight anaemia. Most Thalassaemia
Minor sufferers aren’t aware of their condition
until they undergo a special blood test.
Thalassaemia is a genetic disease. The danger arises
when one thalassaemia carrier has children with
another thalassaemia carrier; there is a one-in-four
(25%) chance their children will develop the full
disease.
What Is Banyan Tree Doing To Help?
Banyan Tree is helping the Society for Health Education
(SHE) to fight the disease, raise awareness and
help its victims.
1) Thalassaemia Testing for all Staff
22nd July 2004 - all staff at Banyan Tree Maldives
Vabbinfaru and Angsana Maldives Ihuru were tested
to ascertain if they carry Thalassaemia.
2) Staff Members Volunteering for Blood Donation
Children who have thalassaemia need to receive
blood transfusions every 4 – 6 weeks to delay
the onset of the disease. This puts a huge burden
on the Maldivian blood bank supplies. Many of our
resort staff have volunteered for this blood donation
drive.
3) Purchase of 200 Leukocyte Filters
Every blood transfusion requires the use of
a special filter that costs MRf 230.00 (US$18) each.
For many Maldivian families, purchasing one of these
filters is an expense far beyond the reach of their
monthly income.
In aid of a good cause, Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru
and Angsana Maldives Ihuru have collectively donated
200 filters to SHE on 1st August 2004, to be distributed
to needy Thalassaemia sufferers in the Maldives.
The second leg of this donation campaign will be
carried out in October 2004.
4) Production of Awareness Video
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| Banyan
Tree will also fund and provide expertise for the
production of a ‘Thalassaemia Awareness’
video programme, which will be disseminated throughout
the Maldives upon completion. |
