Jordan's northern region reports 400 cases of Thalassemia

Jordan

Published: 2023-05-21 22:08

Last Updated: 2024-03-27 00:36


Jordan's northern region reports 400 cases of Thalassemia
Jordan's northern region reports 400 cases of Thalassemia

In Jordan, there are 1,200 cases of thalassemia, making up approximately 1.5% of the population. The Ministry of Health covers the monthly treatment costs of each affected individual, amounting to JD 1,000.

Princess Rahma Hospital in Irbid Governorate receives around 25 thalassemia patients daily. Among thalassemia patients, 400 are located in the northern region, including 40 Syrian refugees. The primary cause of infection is the marriage between two carriers of the disease or between an infected individual and a carrier. Currently, the available treatments are limited to either blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant.

Thalassemia patients experience symptoms such as anemia, osteoporosis, elevated blood iron levels due to transfusions, and heart palpitations. It is crucial to provide employment opportunities to support these individuals in facing their disease and covering the expenses of their treatment while enabling them to remain productive.