Rising in Sabah with Marudu, K’gau tops
Published on: Tuesday, July 16, 2019
By: Johan Aziz
KENINGAU: Sabah is still the highest thalassemia state in the country with the latest statistics of 1,826 patients showing an increase, said Sabah Thalassemia Association President, Francis Mujim.
He said Kota Marudu recorded the most cases – an increase of 170 patients who came from Pitas and Kudat, while Keningau was second.
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“For the Upper Interior area there are about 200 patients with Keningau covering Sook and Nabawan ahead of other districts with over 100 people followed by Tambunan with 55 patients and Tenom of 30 patients,” he told reporters at the Upper Interior level World Thalassemia Day Celebration held at the community hall.
It was officiated by Assistant Minister of Rural Development and Liawan State Assemblyman Rasinin Koutis.
He said that based on information received, there has been an increase in patients taking treatment in hospitals.
“Previously, children who suffer from this disease especially in remote villages in the interior, their parents will not be hospitalised until the child dies.
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“But once they hear the important message regarding this illness through the campaign and other programmes on this disease, parents bring their children to the hospital and this also resulted in a slight increase in the statistics of this disease in the state,” he said.
Francis hoped through these campaigns held in conjunction with World Thalassemia Day, it can raise awareness and thereby reducing the birth of thalassemia major of children with the support and cooperation of various levels of society.
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According to him, the focus of the association is on community leaders consisting of district chiefs, native chiefs, village heads, MPKKs and religious leaders who have clients in their respective places and can communicate information to the grassroots in relation with this disease.
He believed that Sabah could lower the birth of thalassemia major of children at least before the target of zero thalassemia in 2030 and the Sabah Thalassemia Association will continue to pursue its activities with the support of all involved parties including District Officers committed to providing support to this association as they are fully-understood the importance of public health in their respective areas.
“The message from the association is spreading information to the public, especially youths who have to be screened for thalassemia and alert them whether they are carrier or not.
“Only when we are aware of their health status, they can plan their future because as we know if we are a carrier, we should find a partner who is not carrier,” he said.
Francis said the screening is important because thalassemia major occurred through a marriage where the genetic was from both pairs.
This applies to children where parents do not know they are carriers because they look healthy and eventually after childbirth, the child begins to give a symptom after six or seven months by showing signs of paleness, lethargic and so forth.
He said only after the child was taken to the hospital and revealed that the child had thalassemia and that it is important to have a blood screening of couple who wanted to get married.
This is to avoid meeting between both the carriers and should be avoided for the future of the family.
However, between the couple, one of the carriers and another a non-carrier is allowed to get married, he said.
Francis also said that the doors of the association are always open to anyone who wants to be a member as long as Malaysian citizens and above 18 years old with a starting fee of RM10 and an annual RM5 or RM100 to become a lifetime member.
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