A large number of thalassemia patients receive support from the health ministry but this is not adequate as their food security has become a major concern. Head of the Thalassemia Patients Association Dr. Majid Arasteh said “a big concern for thalassemia patients is food security” and 80% of them do not receive “food aid from the ministry of welfare.” Since they are not recognized as disabled they are not supported by the State Welfare Organization (SWO) either ,which has created “a slew of problems for them,” ISNA reported.
