TY - JOUR AU - Hossain, Mohammad Sorowar AU - Raheem, Enayetur AU - Siddiqee, Mahbubul H. PY - 2020 DA - 2020/09/25 TI - The forgotten people with thalassemia in the time of COVID-19: South Asian perspective JO - Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases SP - 265 VL - 15 IS - 1 AB - South Asia is the hotspot of beta-thalassemia, with an estimated 200,000 patients whose lives depend on regular blood transfusion. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have adopted unprecedented lockdown to minimize the spread of transmission. Restriction of nationwide human mobility and fear of COVID-19 infection has put thalassemia patients in a life-threatening situation because of an acute shortage of blood supply. As a public health preparedness strategy during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, the plights of thalassemia patients should be considered. Government-sponsored community blood-banks needs to be established or coverage expanded as a safety net for the thalassemia patients in lower- and middle-income countries. SN - 1750-1172 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0 DO - 10.1186/s13023-020-01543-0 ID - Hossain2020 ER -