A symposium titled ‘Student Symposium within the scope of “World Thalassaemia Day” was organised by the European University of Lefke (EUL), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG): World Thalassaemia Awareness Day’ symposium. At the symposium, students from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics prepared presentations and provided information about Thalassaemia, a genetic (hereditary) blood disease.

Elnaz Yousef Halvaei, a first-year student in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, made a speech titled ‘What is Thalassemia? Causes and Risk Factors of Thalassemia’ and explained how the disease is genetically transmitted and the risk factors. Fatoumata Abdoulaye Maiga, a second year student, presented ‘Prevalence of Beta-thalassaemia in Mediterranean Countries’ and provided the participants with up-to-date information on the prevalence of Thalassaemia in countries in the Mediterranean basin, including Cyprus. Aysha Salum Abdallah, a third year department student, presented ‘Thalassaemia: Types, Characteristics, Symptoms and Treatment’ and explained the types and characteristics of the disease. Finally, Shiloh Shumirai A. Chipendo, also a third year student, shared information about the difficulties faced by thalassaemia patients throughout their lives and how families can improve the living standards of these patients with a presentation titled ‘Living with Thalassaemia’.

The symposium, which was organised to draw attention to thalassaemia, a common genetic disease in our country, and to raise awareness, ended with the contributions of the participants.