There are a total of 22 children awaiting their chance to get a bone marrow transplant, said Health Ministry today.
A ministry spokesman said 14 children went abroad for bone marrow transplants last year. Out of those 14 children, seven children have completed the transplant and seven are still abroad for treatment, he said.
The ministry said six children have since returned to the Maldives. Unfortunately one child passed away, the official said.
Three of the remaining six children are scheduled to arrive in Maldives next month, while the remaining four children are still undergoing treatment.
The official said 10 more children will go abroad for bone marrow transplants this year. Five of them have already undergone bone marrow specialist review and preparations are underway as well.
Sustainable free bone marrow transplantation for children with thalassemia is a presidential pledge of incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Ministry of Health signed an agreement in February last year to fund bone marrow transplants for 10 children every year at the expense of the Zakat Fund. Under the agreement, up to MVR one million will be provided for bone marrow transplants per child. There are currently 22 children on the list.