The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective
Abstract South Asia is the hotspot of beta-thalassemia, with an estimated 200,000 patients whose lives depend on regular blood transfusion. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted unprecedented lockdown to minimize the spread of transmission. Restriction of nationwide human mobility an...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0 |
| Summary: | Abstract South Asia is the hotspot of beta-thalassemia, with an estimated 200,000 patients whose lives depend on regular blood transfusion. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted unprecedented lockdown to minimize the spread of transmission. Restriction of nationwide human mobility and fear of COVID-19 infection has put thalassemia patients in a life-threatening situation because of an acute shortage of blood supply. As a public health preparedness strategy during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, the plights of thalassemia patients should be considered. Government-sponsored community blood-banks needs to be established or coverage expanded as a safety net for the thalassemia patients in lower- and middle-income countries. |
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| ISSN: | 1750-1172 |