Malaysia Records 9,554 Thalassemia Patients as Lifetime Treatment Cost Nears RM3 Million Per Person
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — Malaysia has recorded 9,554 thalassemia patients based on official data from the Malaysia Thalassemia Registry Annual Report 2023, involving treatment at 102 Health Ministry hospitals and two university hospitals nationwide.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the estimated cost of treatment for patients who rely on regular blood transfusions can reach nearly RM3 million per person from childhood until the age of 40.
He explained that most of the expenses involve healthcare services, with additional costs borne by patients and their families.
“Healthcare costs account for 92.5 per cent of the total, while out-of-pocket expenses make up 7.5 per cent.
“Iron chelation therapy is the largest contributor at 56.9 per cent, followed by blood transfusion costs at 13.1 per cent,” he said in Parliament.
Gene therapy remains costly option
Dzulkefly said gene therapy involves modifying a patient’s stem cells in a laboratory before reintroducing them into the body.
However, he said the treatment remains extremely expensive, costing between RM10 million and RM13 million per patient.
He added that implementing such treatment requires specialised facilities, expert teams, and sustainable healthcare funding.
Stem cell transplant offers potential cure
He said Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is another treatment option that offers potential cure for transfusion-dependent patients.
The procedure costs between RM100,000 and RM120,000 per patient.
The treatment is available at Hospital Tunku Azizah and Sabah Women and Children Hospital.
Since 2007, 212 patients have been successfully cured through HSCT.
School screening identifies thousands of carriers
Dzulkefly added that a school screening programme has reached 2.46 million students nationwide.
Of these, 57,910 students were identified as carriers of thalassemia.
Sabah, Selangor, and Kedah recorded the highest number of carriers.
The programme aims to improve early detection and awareness of the condition.
-wilayah.com.my
