Thalassemia carrier status is a significant health concern in Azerbaijan. According to the National Hematology and Transfusiology Center, 745 individuals applying for marriage in 2026 were identified as carriers. This figure underscores the need for increased awareness about the disease.
Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from producing enough hemoglobin. Currently, 3,190 people are officially registered with the disease in the country. Surveys reveal that while many recognize thalassemia as anemia or a hereditary condition, in-depth knowledge is lacking.
Hematologist Mireldar Babayev explains: "If one parent is a carrier, the gene can be passed to children. If both are carriers, the risk of the child being born with thalassemia increases." He notes that with only one carrier parent, the child may be a carrier or completely healthy. The only cure for the disease is a bone marrow transplant.
Dr. Abbas Baghirov, a PhD in medicine, states that alpha and beta thalassemia are the most common forms in Azerbaijan. Preventive treatment and iron chelation therapy are used for carriers. Perinatal diagnosis during pregnancy can determine if the baby is a carrier or has thalassemia.
Doctors emphasize the importance of pre-marital medical screening. Early detection is the key to building a healthy family. For more information, visit our pages on thalassemia, genetic testing, and healthy family.
