Zahle
Lebanon

Zahraa Al Assaf
Syrian refugee

I had never heard of thalassemia before having children. When my first child got diagnosed with thalassemia, I took it easy. When the second got diagnosed, I was devastated.

MSF began treating
Syrian refugee children
suffering from thalassemia in April 2018

Nancy Barhoum
MSF nurse

Thalassemia is a genetic disease.

It is a chronic disease, and their bodies won’t be able to develop and produce enough haemoglobin to allow oxygen flow in the body.

We provide a comprehensive care to the child, from A to Z.

The care starts with providing the blood to the child, the transfusion, providing the drug to be used at home, in addition to teach them how to go on with their lives, just like normal children.

Treating thalassemia is expensive
and requires routine transfusions


Omar Al Mousa
Syrian refugee


I am father of 3 children with thalassemia, Ahmad, Ali and Fatima. Ahmad, the 10 years old, was diagnosed when he was about 3 or 4 months old and has been receiving blood transfusions.
Transfusions however causes
iron overload, which can have
serious consequences

In the past, we only went for transfusions without running any tests to check iron levels. At MSF, the children hearts are being monitored through tests and MRIs, their thyroids too.

Treatment requires a specific drug
to lower iron levels…


But it’s extremely expensive and therefore inaccessible to
Syrian refugee children in Lebanon


The monthly expenses are very high. I can never provide for both. It’s either the households needs, or their treatment. MSF really helped us by providing the kids with what they need.
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