Affected Blood Corpuscles, Anniversaries and Events, Republic of Cyprus

Affected Blood Corpuscles, Anniversaries and Events, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

The stamp depicts the affected corpuscles of the hereditary blood disorder known as "" Thalassaemia"" which is incurable and potentially fatal. Sufferers from this illness have to undergo a torturous regime of blood transfusions every few weeks. Additionally these patients need medication to overcome the iron over load caused by the frequent blood transfusions. In Cyprus, this illness is very common. One out of seven people is a car r ier of B eta thalassaemia, a condition that stops the body producing red blood cells; while in one out of fifty couples, both are carriers, thus increasing the probability that the illness is transmitted to their offspring. In 1969, the government, recognizing the degree of seriousness, decided to embarkon a program to confront this illness. Clinics were opened to car ry out population tests to identify carriers. The Mediterranean Anaemia programme was pioneered and in 1978 the Thalassaemia Centre was established under the direc tionship of Dr. M. Hadjiminas. In 1990, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics was established. Among its first priorities was the immediate setting up of the D epar tment of Molecular Genetics for thalassaemia and the implementation of procedures for the pre -natal diagnosis of the illness to be carried out in Cyprus. In recent years pre -implantation diagnosis for thalassaemia became possible and in-vitro fertilization allowed embryo screening by carrying out a cell biopsy at the institute's laboratories. By this method only the healthy embryos are selected for implantation.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

23rd October 1978

Designer: A. Ioannides

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1978-ANN+EVENTS-15M

35.160417, 33.346556

Aspioti - Elka, Athens