Shahina Daar

Β-thalassemia is classified into three phenotypes, depending on the severity of symptoms: 1) thalassemia major (TM); 2) thalassemia Intermedia (TI); 3) β trait or thalassemia minor (Tm).

Patients with homozygous beta thalassemia have complex clinical complications due to the need for blood transfusions and iron overload.

Patients with thalassemia major require regular blood transfusions from 6-12 months of age to stay alive.

Unlike Hepatitis B, there is no vaccine available for protection against Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Homozygous Beta thalassaemia is a lifelong condition requiring regular blood transfusions from infancy.

The Sultanate of Oman is in a unique geographical location, at the Southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.