Amendments have been proposed to the Thalassaemia Control Act to require medical testing during pregnancy, aimed at determining whether the unborn child has inherited thalassaemia major. 

Debate on the proposed amendments began after the amendment, initially approved during the 22nd sitting of the second session on Wednesday, 6 August, was sent back to the Parliament for reconsideration. President Dr Muizzu had decided to withhold assent following feedback from the Maldivian Blood Services, as well as thalassaemia patients and their families.

In his letter to Parliament, the President explained that several new proposals had been made since the bill was submitted for ratification. He underlined that these revisions were critical to the Government’s policy framework and argued that adopting them would strengthen the law and make it more effective in meeting its objectives.

A central proposal is to make prenatal testing compulsory during pregnancy, with the purpose of identifying whether the unborn child has inherited thalassaemia major. Parents would then be obliged to follow the rules linked to the results of the tests.

The revised amendment further proposes that the state provide monthly financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with thalassaemia and hemoglobinopathies, continuing until they are formally removed from the registry maintained under the Act.

Another clause sets out that it will be the responsibility of the State to establish a nationwide system for thalassaemia testing, to be made available free of charge.

The President stated that, given the importance of these additions, it is necessary to re-examine the legislation before it could be enacted. He stressed that returning the amendment to Parliament is intended to create a more comprehensive framework to address thalassaemia across the country.