Thalassemia patients protest against blood service heads
Patients and their families have highlighted difficulties in accessing necessary treatment following this change.
Thalassemia patients and their families staged a protest on Saturday calling for the resignation of the leadership of Maldivian Blood Services (MBS).
The protesters raised concerns over the organisation’s failure to provide essential services, including the unavailability of medicines, malfunctioning equipment, and the disposal of blood packets due to filter failures.
Prior to the protest, several individuals expressed their concerns on social media. MBS management held discussions with some individuals tonight; however, some participants stated that those who voiced the most concerns were not included in the meeting.
Since January 2024, MBS has stopped issuing medicines directly to thalassemia patients, requiring them to obtain them from pharmacies instead. Patients and their families have highlighted difficulties in accessing necessary treatment following this change.
