Sri Lanka, May 20 -- Sri Lanka has reported approximately 2,500 thalassemia patients, while between 45 and 60 children are born annually with major thalassemia, health officials revealed.

The information was disclosed during a media briefing held in conjunction with International Thalassemia Day, observed on May 8.

The Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sriyani Alahapperuma stated that although the current number of patients may appear comparatively low, there is a growing risk of the disease increasing steadily in the future.

He emphasized that preventing marriages between thalassemia carriers and promoting pre-marital screening are among the most effective strategies to control the spread of...