Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes chronic anemia due to impaired hemoglobin production. Individuals with thalassemia major require lifelong care, including regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy to prevent life-threatening complications affecting the heart, liver, and endocrine system.

In Syria, thalassemia represents a significant public health challenge. It is estimated that 5–8% of the population are carriers (thalassemia minor), which increases the risk of children being born with severe forms of the disease when both parents are carriers. Despite the availability of preventive measures such as pre-marital screening, uptake remains inconsistent.

The situation is further shaped by several critical social and systemic factors identified by our team in Homs between Dec 2025–Jan 2026:
Stigma is silencing: Families may conceal diagnosis due to fear of social judgment, leading to delayed care and limited openness about the condition.  
Trust is fragile: Confidence in healthcare services can be undermined by inconsistent communication or misinformation.  
Health literacy gaps persist: While awareness varies, communities often rely on informal networks that can both support and misinform.  
Communities are ready to engage: Patients and caregivers have expressed willingness to participate, share experiences, and contribute to solutions.  

Against this context, our project in Homs offers an important opportunity to move beyond simple awareness, encouraging active participation while promoting early detection through accessible hemoglobin testing.