First child to undergo state-funded bone marrow transplant departs

The first child to undergo state-funded bone marrow transplant has departed overseas on Thursday, states the President’s Office.

Speaking at a press conference, Mohamed Firuzul Abdul Khaleel, the Undersecretary for Public Policy at the President’s Office, said efforts were already underway to send one more patient abroad for bone marrow at the expense of the state.

“Presently, there are 40 children seeking bone marrow transplants listed. Hopefully, will pave way for their bone marrow transplants over the next five years, while establishing a system under which expenses for every child seeking bone marrow transplants are arranged for them, without having to wait any further. We are working on establishing a system towards free bone marrow transplants,” he said.

Firuzul attributed the efforts being undertaken to develop a hospital specialized for treatments for Thalassemia to part of the aforementioned goal.

A statement shared with media outlets by the President’s Office regarding the matter read that the administration was undertaking efforts to send additional four children abroad for bone marrow transplants in the upcoming week.

The statement further read that discussions have been initiated concerning the development of a Thalassemia hospital, centered on the design of the hospital and other related administrative tasks.

It was also noted that the administration had arranged for medication and other consumables required for Thalassemia patients to be covered under Aasandha from STO’s pharmacies in both Male’ and atolls.

Speaking at a press conference last Sunday, Firuzul said the administration had decided to move forward with the project to develop the Thalassemia hospital with a budget of USD 25 million.

Underscoring that the hospital will be developed in Male’ area, Firuzul said a specific location has yet to be decided.

As of present, there are 650 children in the Maldives who are Thalassemia patients.