World Thalassemia Day, 8 May 2025 | Theme, Importance & Prevention

Pace Hospitals

World Thalassemia Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 8th to raise awareness about the condition among the local public and policymakers, apart from supporting and strengthening the morale of the victims who have battled for years with this fatal disease.


On this day, many local and international organisations, patient associations, public authorities, and healthcare professionals gather together to promote the importance of prenatal screening, counselling, prevention, management, or treatment of thalassemia in a patient-centred manner.

Importance of World Thalassemia Day (WTD)

Thalassaemia is an inherited (genetically transmitted) autosomal recessive disorder acquired from parents (either or both). It affects the red blood cells due to a genetic mutation, leading to the depletion of haemoglobin's alpha and/or beta-globin chains. This results in low production of red blood cells and a lack of oxygenated blood supply to the body parts (anaemia). More than one lakh patients in India are thalassemia victims, with 40 lakh carriers.


Thalassemia affects 56,000 pregnancies worldwide, of which 30,000 have thalassemia major, and most of these patients were born in poor or underdeveloped nations. The treatment for major thalassemia can be exceedingly expensive and may involve stem cell transplants, continual blood transfusions, and chelation therapy. It is, therefore, essential to prevent congenital defects (thalassemia) before birth rather than keep trying to treat the condition after birth.


Prenatal screening can aid in identifying the condition of thalassemia at the foetal stage, and its awareness among local people plays a pivotal role in controlling the thalassemia numbers. World Thalassemia Day can be one of the opportunistic platforms where several private and governmental organisations carry out public education and healthcare campaigns for pregnant women, including genetic screening, counselling, and prenatal diagnosis. In addition, on this day, policymakers might plan or implement new strategies/policies for thalassemia victims, including free blood transfusions or providing financial assistance.

World Thalassemia Day 2025 Theme | What is theme of world Thalassemia day 2025 | Visual depicting the theme of World Thalassemia day theme 2025

World Thalassemia Day 2025 Theme

This year, 2025, the World Thalassemia Day Theme is "Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritising Patients”. The theme focuses on patient-centered care, promoting holistic well-being that addresses medical, emotional, and social needs, and mobilizing international communities to give thalassemia patients priority in healthcare policies.


Year By Year Themes for World Thalassemia Day

  • World Thalassemia Day 2024 Theme: Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassaemia Treatment for All
  • World Thalassemia Day 2023 Theme: Be Aware. Share. Care: Strengthening Education to Bridge the Thalassaemia Care Gap
  • World Thalassemia Day 2022 Theme: Be Aware. Share. Care: Working with the global community as one to improve thalassemia knowledge
  • World Thalassemia Day 2021 Theme: Addressing Health Inequalities Across the Global Thalassaemia Community
  • World Thalassemia Day 2020 Theme: The dawning of a new era for thalassaemia: Time for a global effort to make novel therapies accessible and affordable to patients
  • World Thalassemia Day 2019 Theme: Universal access to quality thalassaemia healthcare services: Building bridges with and for patients
  • World Thalassemia Day 2018 Theme: Thalassaemia past, present and future: Country practices, progress and growing recognition of patients’ rights

History of World Thalassemia Day (WTD)

The first World Thalassemia Day, or International Thalassemia Day, was declared on May 8, 1994, by Panos Englezos, the president and founder of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF). In honour of his (Panos Englezos) son George and the numerous thalassemia patients who battled this disease, Panos Englezos established this day.

Screening for Thalassemia

The screening procedures include prenatal testing, done before the baby is born. The following tests are used to assess the presence of thalassemia: 

  • Chorionic villus sampling: Typically performed between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. A tiny sample of placental tissue is taken using a fine needle for further evaluation, often inserted through the mother's abdomen. 
  • Amniocentesis: A small sample of the fluid encircling the baby is taken, typically around the 16th week of pregnancy, by inserting a fine needle through the mother's stomach into the uterus. Some of the infant's cells are present in the fluid, which can be used to screen for thalassemia.
prevention of thalassemia | Thalassemia prevention measures | Preventive tips of Thalassemia | | Visual suggesting the Preventive measures of Thalassemia

Prevention of Thalassemia

Although thalassemia cannot be prevented, only the following measures can reduce the risk of having thalassemia in newborns.

  • Parent genetic test for the presence of thalassemia gene
  • Prenatal screening
  • Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
  • Provision of public awareness and education about thalassemia

Share on

Request an appointment

Fill in the appointment form or call us instantly to book a confirmed appointment with our super specialist at 04048486868

Appointment request - health articles

Liver Cirrhosis Diagnosis, Treatment explained by Dr Govind Verma | Latest Liver Cirrhosis Treatment
By PACE Hospitals May 10, 2025
Explore Liver Cirrhosis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options with Dr. Govind Verma, Sr. Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist. Watch a detailed video for early detection and management of liver cirrhosis. Stay tuned for more health awareness videos on PACE Hospitals.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day - History, Importance & General Tips
By PACE Hospitals May 10, 2025
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day 2025, marked annually on May 12, brings global attention to a condition characterized by persistent tiredness. Learn why it matters—its theme, relevance, and historical context.
Case study of successful right-sided frontoparietal brain surgery at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad
By Akshay Dasari May 10, 2025
Explore this detailed case study of a 48-year-old woman who underwent a successful right frontoparietal craniotomy performed by the expert Neurosurgery Team at PACE Hospitals, ensuring her optimal recovery and a smooth postoperative journey.
 International Nurses Day 2025 Theme, History and Importance
By PACE Hospitals May 10, 2025
Join the global tribute on 12th May for International Nurses Day 2025. Discover the theme, historical importance, and why celebrating nurses remains crucial in today’s world.
Case study of a 63-year-old patient with gastric neuroendocrine tumors treated at PACE Hospitals
By PACE Hospitals May 9, 2025
Explore the case study of a 63-year-old patient diagnosed with gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNTs), who underwent a successful laparoscopic gastrectomy performed by the expert Surgical Gastroenterologist team at PACE Hospitals.
World Lupus Day, 10 May 2025 | Theme, Importance, History & Control
By Pace Hospitals May 9, 2025
World Lupus Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 10th to raise awareness about Lupus, it is a chronic autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissue, resulting in pain and inflammation of the body tissues. There are four various types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus, where SLE is the most common one.
 PACE Hospitals podcast with Dr. Seshi Janjirala covering Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
By Kamal Prakash May 8, 2025
Listen to the podcast with Dr. Seshi Janjirala from PACE Hospitals as he discusses Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC), including its Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, & treatment for improved heart health.
Case study of a 41-year-old female with a right renal pelvic stone treated at PACE Hospitals
By PACE Hospitals May 8, 2025
Explore the case study of a 41-year-old female with a right renal pelvic stone, treated by the expert urology team at PACE Hospitals using RIRS surgery & DJ stenting, ensuring quick recovery and relief from flank pain.
Case study of a 50-year-old hypertensive male treated for hemorrhoids at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad.
By PACE Hospitals May 7, 2025
Explore the case study of a 50-year-old hypertensive male treated for mixed hemorrhoids with Minimally Invasive Procedure for Hemorrhoids (MIPH) by the Gastroenterologist team at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Show More