Four children have been born with thalassemia in the Maldives since the beginning of this year, a figure that has prompted concerns from high-ranking health officials.

Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, the CEO of the Male City Group of Hospitals, revealed the statistics in a post on the social media platform X, coinciding with International Thalassemia Day. Expressing his concern, Haleem emphasized the urgent need for heightened public awareness and proactive measures to manage the condition.

In response to these developments, the government has announced plans to strengthen counseling services across the country. Haleem stated that a specialized system will be introduced within the year to provide essential information and guidance, specifically focusing on pre-marital counseling to help control the prevalence of the disorder.

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder inherited when both parents are carriers of the trait. The upcoming initiative aims to ensure that prospective couples are well-informed about the risks and the importance of screening to prevent the transmission of the condition to future generations.