June 03, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Health Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Ministry is considering to urge the public to take a blood test for thalassemia before marriage.

The Minister said that his Ministry is considering this because the disease spreads due to genetic heritage.

Sri Lanka has around 1,500 thalassemia patients and the government spends around Rs. 10 million for each patient. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes mild or severe anemia which requires blood transfusions.

The Minister expressed these ideas at a function held in Dambulla hospital to ceremonially open a medical centre.