Dhaka, May 7 -- Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Wednesday emphasised the need for an action plan to bring the number of thalassemia patients in Bangladesh down to zero within the next 10 years.

He made the remark while addressing a discussion organised marking 'International Thalassemia Day 2025' at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute.

Each thalassemia patient may require up to Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000 for treatment, he said, noting that the disease imposes the high economic burden.

Even if only one percent of the country's 10-11 percent thalassemia carriers develop the disease, the national treatment cost could soar to Tk 2,000 to 10,000 crore, he said, calling it an unsustainable burden.

Emphasising the importance of awarenes...