PILOT SCREENING PROGRAM FOR THALASSEMIA IN A COUNTRY WITH LIMITED RESOURCES: A COLLABORATION MODEL BETWEEN CLOSE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
Screening for thalassemia carriers should not only be conducted in middle income countries but also can be possible in low middle income countries, through cooperation of experienced professionals from middle income countries. We describe a collaborating model between two close neighboring countries in establishing such a screening program for thalassemia. After training and setting up of facilities, a total of 152 out of 187 hospital staff were screened as a pilot activity to encourage community participation. Referring system for sending blood samples to a reference center in Thailand was also established. Among 152 health staff, 12.5% a0 thal, 2% b thal and 13% Hb E carriers were found. Applying thalassemia screening to 411 pregnant women and 71 spouses, 5 couples at risk of bearing a child of thalassemia disease were identified. The thalassemia screening program has a sensitivity of 99.5% specificity of 77% positive predictive value of 73% and negative predictive value of 99.5% Thus, it is possible to operate a thalassemia screening program with acceptable performance in a low middle income country (Lao People's Democratic Republic) with the cooperation of a referral center located within close proximity in a middle income country (Thailand)
The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health