The Borneo Post : Treatment of Thalassaemia patients in Sabah improves

THE BORNEO POST : Treatment of Thalassaemia Patients in Sabah Improves

Posted on November 28, 2010, Sunday

KOTA KINABALU: Treatments for Thalassaemia patients in Sabah have shown major improvements under the comprehensive strategy for Thalassaemia care since 2005.

“Our next step in Sabah is to set up a comprehensive and integrated Thalassaemia Treatment Centre to house all the Thalasaemia care services under one roof,” said Deputy Minister of Health Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Rosnah pointed out that Sabah has the highest carrier rate of Beta Thalassaemia, estimated at seven per cent, which is double the national rate.

“There are 1,284 transfusion dependent Thalassaemia patients in Sabah and 254 are receiving treatment in Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital.

“A well designed One Stop Centre which meets the special needs of the patients is needed in order to provide comfortable and homely environment to the patients.

“Instead of moving the patients to the various services, we should bring all the services to the patients,” said Rosnah here yesterday when launching the ‘Toy Donation Campaign’ for the World’s Children’s Day Celebration in Likas Hospital.

She also hoped that the integrated centre could boost researches on the disease besides contributing to new information on how to manage the condition of patients.

Her speech was delivered by Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology cum Karambunai assemblywoman Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Besides Thalassaemia, mortality among the new born babies in Sabah was also a concern of the Health Ministry.

“The ministry will be supporting the development and strengthening of the Neonatal Intensive Care in Sabah.

“We want to provide the best for our children’s health care and we ensure that no child is left behind,” said Rosnah.

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