ISSN: 2578-5001
Authors: Lafta RK*
Thalassemia is a common hereditary hemoglobinopathy that occurs all over the world, mostly in the middle and low-income countries. We set this study to study the demographic and clinical profile of thalassemia patients, and to highlight the burden of this disorder on the health system, in Iraq. This cross sectional survey was carried out during the period from January through June 2022 in the two major centers of thalassemia in Baghdad. All thalassemia patients that were attending those centers during a six-month period, were included. The direct and indirect annual cost of medicines and health services were computed. The prevalence of thalassemia is slopping up, with the estimated annual cost of health care regarding diagnosis, treatment, blood transfusions and other services for each thalassemia patients is $6815. The indirect health care services were $3995, making the total annual cost for each thalassemia patient $10810. It is proven that consanguineous marriages increase the prevalence of Thalassemia. Public policies aimed at clarifying this for the population would be relevant. The annual cost for thalassemia patients in Iraq is relatively high, most of which is covered by the Ministry of Health and its institutions. This causes a burden on the health system. Also, adopting new policies to reduce the costs especially through finding substitutes (or less costly therapy) for blood chelating agents, is crucial on the long term strategy.
Keywords: Burden; Thalassemia; Health system; Iraq
