06 May 2022 19:41

The event was held on International Thalassemia Day

On May 8, the event was held on International Thalassemia Day, with joint organizational support of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Administration of the Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB), National Center for Hematology and Transfusiology and Azerbaijan Hematology Specialists Public Union.

The event was attended by Zaur Aliyev, the Chairman of Executive Board of the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, Nadir Zeynalov, Deputy Minister of Health, Vugar Gurbanov, Acting Chairman of the Executive Board of TABIB, Nigar Bayramova, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of the Agency, Malahat Ibrahimqizi, Member of Parliament, Valeh Huseynov, Executive Director of National Center for Hematology and Transfusiology, specialists invited from Turkey, NGO representatives and doctors of the Center.

Addressing the event, the Chairman of the Executive Board of the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance Zaur Aliyev said that “State Program for Thalassemia Prevention” has been implemented by the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, since April 2020.

Bone marrow transplantations were performed on 39 persons at Thalassemia division of the National Center for Hematology and Transfusiology from April 2020 to May 2022.

 26 persons who underwent surgery were children between the age of 1 and 12. Z.Aliyev mentioned that  bone marrow transplantation, prevention of complications of the disease, preoperative laboratory tests are carried out free of charge in accordance with the State Program.

Patients are provided free of charge both with medications used in preparation for surgery (for chemotherapy), and immunosuppressants prescribed for the reception of stem cells by the patient's immune system.

Vugar Gurbanov, Acting Chairman of the Executive Board of TABIB said that the most severe form of thalassemia is more prevalent among children born to consanguineous marriages.

As it’s known thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that leads to increase of disability and may cause death in severe conditions.

“The development of global medical science in recent years led to advancements in the treatment of children and adults suffering from thalassemia in Azerbaijan. Currently, Azerbaijan is witnessing a breakthrough in the field of thalassemia treatment.”

V.Gurbanov said that high-value and most in-demand medications under 20 names for patients suffering from blood cancer were delivered to National Center for Hematology and Transfusiology in January 2022.

Nadir Zeynalov, Valeh Huseynov and Malahat Ibrahimqizi in their statements spoke about state attention and support given to this field.

Afterwards, local, and Turkish specialists delivered speeches on the following topics: “A genotype–phenotype correlation in thalassemia”, “Clinical application of new generation chelators”, “Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia follow up: patient-doctor communication”.

In the end, certificates of gratitude were presented for the support provided to the continuous education of patients with hematologic disorders by the Distance Knowledge Center, established on the initiative of Ms. Leyla Aliyeva.