– Insights from Professor Sakorn Pornprasert, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences at Chiang Mai University, on raising thalassemia awareness in Thailand.
Thalassemia, a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin production, poses a significant public health challenge in Thailand, with a high prevalence and substantial healthcare costs. According to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health, approximately 18-24 million or 30-40 percent of the Thai population carries the thalassemia gene.
Professor Sakorn Pornprasert, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, shared his views on BGI Genomics Global 2023 State of Thalassemia Awareness Report’s findings related to Thailand and offer his specialized insights.
To raise awareness, the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has implemented a policy for thalassemia prevention and control, offering free laboratory tests and prenatal diagnosis to pregnant couples, thereby reducing costs and encouraging more women to undergo screening.
With this support from the healthcare system, it makes Thai people pay less during the prenatal care. However, this health benefit covers only for those mothers carrying a fetus. Couples that plan for or entering genetic counselling and PGD still have to pay by themselves.
However, despite these efforts, a lower percentage of Thai women (3.9%) are willing to go for prenatal thalassemia screening compared to the global average (5.5%). Professor Pornprasert highlights the need to elevate trust in healthcare professionals to disseminate information and address concerns to build confidence in the importance and safety of prenatal screening.
At the same time, 57.4% of Thai women indicate that costs of thalassemia testing affect their willingness to go for screening, which is higher than the global average of 38.1%.
Professor Pornprasert notes that the willingness to pay is related to multiple reasons, such as the individual’s financial status and the overall Thai economy. Thai women may also not be willing to pay for something that they view as “not necessary” at a certain point of time.
On a positive note, Thailand has a far higher percentage of women (72.5% relative to global average of 50.9%) who say they can persuade their partner to go for genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) if both are thalassemia carriers.
Professor Pornprasert also believes that Thai women’s proactive stance towards thalassemia is due to a cultural emphasis on unity and cooperation. In Thai culture, family and interpersonal relationships are valued, and open communication and shared decision-making are encouraged.
In conclusion, Thailand is making significant strides in thalassemia awareness and prevention. While there are still challenges to overcome, such as financial concerns and cultural barriers, the efforts of the Thai Ministry of Public Health and the proactive approach of Thai women offer a promising outlook for the prevention and control of this hereditary disease in the country.
About BGI Genomics
BGI Genomics, headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is the world’s leading integrated solutions provider of precision medicine. In July 2017, as a subsidiary of BGI Group, BGI Genomics (300676.SZ) was officially listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
The company has pioneered thalassemia genetic testing services based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology since 2013. Expanding the availability of genetic testing has been instrumental in the screening, diagnosing, and treating thalassemia.
