HELP WANTED FOR A THALASSAEMIA PATIENT

He was three months old when he had to have blood transfusions as he was diagnosed with Thalassaemia Major. This is a hereditary condition due to the fact that his parents were related to each other.

Umesh needed blood transfusions every month and injections five times a week. He also has to take tablets to reduce the iron as excess iron could damage the heart and liver.

Umesh Sasika Jeewantha is now eighteen years old and has undergone a bone marrow transplant from his mother (donor) who was genetically matched with him. The transplant was a success and he was discharged home with complete donor chimerism. However, the joy was short lived as developed a dreaded condition which may occur when transplants are successful referred to as Graft vs Host

Disease, where his mother's (donor) cells start attacking his (patient's) organs.

Consultant Haetomologist, Dr. Lalindra Guneratne who carried out the transplant on Umesh said that his condition is very serious and sustaining him in hospital requires about 60-70 thousand rupees a day for medication and laboratory tests etc. “Bone marrow transplant is the only cure for thalassaemia major and in addition to the problems of having to visit hospital every month for blood transfusions and other medication there is an increased risk of dying at an early age due to the effects of iron overload for patients with thalassaemia major. Currently Umesh has grade

4 GVHD which is the worst grade and has a very high risk of dying. In addition to medication for the GVHD he needs drugs for management of pain and special nutrition through a vein. He also needs 24 hour nursing care and is connected to drips explained the specialist doctor. Umesh is now in a private hospital as the Private Sector is now taking an interest in helping the poorest of the poor. Financial contributions should be sent to Mr. Samantha Gamini Rankoth, Hatton National Bank Plc, Account No.003020784745.

Umesh's father is Samantha Gamini who is a skilled worker as a mason and he said that he and his wife have sold all they had to pay for the medical expenses over the years at the Kurunegala General Hospital. They have also appealed to the President's Fund.

“My son went to school and sat for the Grade Five Scholarship exam where he only needed five more marks to pass. He likes school and we would like him to lead a normal life. We also have a daughter who thankfully has no medical problems” said the father.

There is now a Thalassaemia Awareness Programme established in the country.