Dhaka, Oct. 11 -- A little patient of mine came to me on her father's lap. The two years old was a case of thalassaemia, a genetic disease of blood. She needs regular blood transfusion and also some costly oral medications and injections. Lifelong regular follow up with a haematologist (specialist in blood disease and blood cancer) is mandatory. Before marriage, her parents had no clue that they were carriers of thalassaemia. As a result of the marriage between two apparently healthy individuals who were actually carrying the gene of thalassaemia, the offspring is now a sufferer of thalassaemia. How unlucky she is!!!

Another patient of mine knew that she was a carrier of thalassaemia. But her family decided to conceal it and married her ...