Social Support for Thalassemia Patients and Families

The article is written by Dr Pediatrician, Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Thalassemia is a chronic disease that must, be monitored and treated throughout life, especially Thalassemia major. Patients must have blood transfusions, monthly iron chelation, so adherence to treatment requires the efforts of the patient, family as well as the help of society.

For pediatric patients, long treatment time causes a lot of pain when blood transfusion, iron chelation. Or being hospitalized for a combination of diseases that affect children's learning and playing. For older children or adults, there are psychological effects such as boredom, disappointment, depression, fatigue, low self-esteem, feeling useless, a burden for the family. The disease is also related to learning, choosing a career to support oneself is not a small challenge. Patient's parents: Also under heavy pressure because they feel responsible for their child's health. Many people feel devastated when their child is first diagnosed. They are also unprepared for their child's long-term, near-lifetime, inpatient and outpatient treatment.

In Vietnam, this disease is common among ethnic minorities such as the Muong Tay and Nung in poor areas, far from medical facilities, so there are few opportunities for treatment and good care despite having comprehensive health insurance. The government considers this disease to be on the list of covered by insurance, but it is still an economic burden for the patient's family because they have to take their children for regular check-ups, affecting their labor and production.

Because it is a lifelong disease, patients and their families urgently need the support of the state in terms of insurance to help them with medical examination and treatment costs. Healthcare professionals help diagnose and provide the best possible treatment to improve the patient's quality of life.
Each country establishes Thalassemia Association to help patients and patients' family members meet, exchange insights, seek information, help them have enough confidence to accompany their children to live well with the disease, helping them avoid give birth to seriously ill children.

Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.