31/08/2025
Free from Hepatitis C …
Children with thalassemia are diagnosed with their disease as early as four to five months of age. From then on, they require blood transfusions every month for the rest of their lives. By the time they reach thirty years of age, they will have undergone around 360 transfusions.
These transfusions provide them with the hemoglobin they need to survive, but they can also bring side effects. One risk is that infections carried by blood donors may be transmitted to patients. However, thanks to advanced technology and modern screening methods, blood banks are working tirelessly to minimize this risk.
Among the infections that can be passed on through blood transfusion, one of the most significant is Hepatitis C. This is why blood donation is not merely about collecting blood—it is also about ensuring that the blood is safe and free from infectious diseases.
In the past, Sri Lanka lacked the technology to detect certain viruses in donated blood, which increased the risk of transmission. But with the introduction of advanced testing methods for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV, blood banks can now identify and prevent the spread of such diseases.
Thanks to these advancements, healthy blood is now available for patients in need. Still, among patients who receive blood regularly, such as those with thalassemia, there remains a small risk of contracting infections—particularly Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C causes liver infections, which over time can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. In thalassemia patients, the risk is even higher because their livers are already weakened by the excess iron in their bodies. As a result, Hepatitis C infection is relatively common in thalassemia patients compared to the general population.
Fortunately, due to the National Immunization Program, all children in Sri Lanka are vaccinated against Hepatitis B, making the risk of that infection very low. Similarly, HIV transmission through blood is negligible thanks to strict donor screening.
Every thalassemia patient undergoing blood transfusions is also tested annually to ensure they have not contracted Hepatitis C. In the past, many children in Sri Lanka with thalassemia were infected with this virus, but with improved testing and treatment, the numbers have gradually declined. By last year, only about a thousand children remained affected.
Unfortunately, until recently, treatment for Hepatitis C was not available in government hospitals. But with the support of the STD Unit and the National HIV/STD Campaign, specialist Dr. Ajith Karawita initiated antiretroviral treatment for these children.
This treatment is costly and required patients to take daily medication for three months without interruption, along with drugs such as desferrioxamine and deferasirox to reduce iron levels. The goal was to protect their livers and prevent future complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The treatment program was led by Dr. Chinthaka de Silva, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology, with special clinics organized specifically for this purpose. The Pathology Department of Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and the Virology Laboratory also played a crucial role, carrying out the required, highly expensive tests on time.
Thanks to the dedication and collaboration of this entire team, all the children treated in our unit last week were declared free from the Hepatitis C virus.
This marks a major victory. With the tireless support of blood bank teams, including Dr. Dhammika Seneviratne, who ensured compatible blood, deployed specialized staff, and maintained strict safety protocols, we have reached the end of a long struggle.
From now on, these children can receive their transfusions and return home on the same day—no longer burdened by the fear of Hepatitis C.
(Copied and adapted from Dr. Kiloshini Hendawitharana 's page.)
Thalassaemia International Federation - TIF
