The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) of Sri Lanka has urged young individuals to undergo Thalassemia testing before marriage.
Speaking to the media, an HPB official explained the available medical tests used to detect the inherited blood disorder, which causes a deficiency in haemoglobin production.
The official emphasized that a simple full blood count can help identify if a person is a carrier of Thalassemia.
Since Thalassemia is a hereditary condition, the risk of passing it on to children increases when both partners are carriers.
The HPB highlighted that pre-marital screening can play a crucial role in preventing the disorder from being inherited by future generations.
The official further stressed that raising awareness and encouraging early testing among youth can significantly reduce the burden of Thalassemia in the country.
