One step forward in health promotion

Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders. In 2011, there was no clear situation regarding the number of thalassemia or other hemoglobinopathy patients in Romania. The luck of information has led to an increased number of patients registered by Fundeni Hospital, Bucharest in the last years. The main goal of this article is to underline the importance of implementing a screening program in Romania for thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies, parallel with an awareness program. The importance of this objective is strongly supported by the following example: in Sardinia, thalassemia major was present in one out of 250 births, and has declined to one out of 4000 births after they implemented the screening program. The article is written by Monica Rosu, a participant to the World Wide Opportunities for Woman course, held in Canada, in 1999 and states one of the first results of thalassemia awareness in Romania with a positive impact on the patient's life, registering the following results: 2000: A website in Romanian language regarding thalassemias and addressed to patients was created. 2005: The Association of People with thalassemia major was founded and become member of Thalassemia International Federation. 2011: Thalassemia major patients from Romania have access to free treatment and the latest medical oral chelator, Exjade. The association participated in various meetings addressed to patients and doctors as well, created their own website, held workshops, fought together for an improved quality of life for themselves, for healthy people (possible thalassemia carriers) and for all Romanian children.