Thalassemia patients: We don’t want mercy

This is the appeal made by the children, and also of the 20-year-old Ermela, whose life depends on donated blood.

“We are like anybody else. We can do all kinds of sport. We can attend any kind of school. We do not need mercy. All we need is a sack of blood so that we can live as anybody else. Those who can should donate blood to make us life happier”, declared Ermela Zenelaj.

The Albanian population has a high number of Thalassemia patients. 200 of them are children, 250 adults, living in every town.

A bigger problem is the birth of children with this disease, which can be prevented with a simple blood test which couples should do beforehand.

Health Minister Ilir Beqja declared that we should decide if this test should be made even before a couple is married.

“It can be done by making an intervention in the Family Code. Maybe we should reopen health debates in Albania. I think that we should pass to an administrative limitation. I appeal everyone to join on this May 8th, with the global awareness message “Let’s join forces and protect health”.

Thalassemia patients need to travel 3-4 days for a sack of blood, bsed on their needs. But the lack of blood and the financial incapability often makes it impossible for them.

The Head of the Association of People with Thalassemia declared that this category should be treated equally as people with disabilities.

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