A project aiming to reduce the number of Thalassemia sufferers carried out in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh in 2009-2014 has proven effective, helping raise public awareness of the disease.

It was reported at a conference in the locality on December 25 that Hoa Binh is one of the localities having the highest rate of people carrying the gene that causes this disease. As many as 13,000 students and 3,800 pregnant women in the locality were identified to have the gene during the project time.

The provincial People’s Committee asked its inferior authorities and relevant agencies to boost communication works as part of efforts to reduce the development of Thalassemia in the locality.

Over the last five years, t he pilot project organised a number of training courses for local medical workers, and research projects in the field were also implemented. The local community was equipped with preventive measures against the disease.

In 2015, the project will be further expanded in all districts and towns. Activities related to communication works, training, screening test, and prenatal consultancy will be also intensified.

Thalassemia is a form of inherited autosomal recessive blood disorders characterised by abnormal formation of haemoglobin. It can cause significant complications, including iron overload, bone deformities and cardiovascular illness.-VNA