The Prevalence of Thalassemia

Over the past decade, knowledge relating to the clinical diagnosis and management of thalassemia has progressed extensively. In Thailand’s case, the country has made significant strides in just two decades. Dr Vip Viprakasit, Professor of Paediatrics at the Department of Paediatrics and Thalassemia Center at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, has played a pivotal role in firmly placing thalassemia on the national agenda. In this interview with Dia:gram, Dr Viprakasit shares how Thailand has become a model for countries in Asia and the Middle East

“This is the only life I’ve known”

Arinthorn Patchimpihong, or Fai as she likes to be called, says these words without a hint of despair. An inherited disease, thalassemia is passed on from parents, who carry the mutated thalassemia gene, to their children. In Fai’s case, she’s had the disease all her life and was diagnosed with thalassemia major when she was only four months old. In her first-ever interview, she talks to Dia:gram about why she doesn’t see herself as a patient and her mission to live a full life despite the odds.

Pakistan's trailblazer

Dr Zeenat Hussain is the founder of The Medical Laboratories in Pakistan. She is still as actively involved in the day-to-day running of its operations as she was when she opened her first laboratory back in 1963. Known for introducing the latest innovations and technologies in her laboratory, Dr Hussain is a true pioneer in the diagnostics industry in Pakistan. In this exclusive interview with Dia:gram, Dr Hussain talks about how she built her laboratory from the ground up as well as her community initiatives with the Zeenat Foundation.

Ten questions with Dr Arni Talib

Dr Arni Talib is the Head of the National Pathology Services in Malaysia and the Head of the Department of Pathology at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Her laboratory serves as the National Referral Centre for the Ministry of Health which provides diagnostics services to the whole country. In this interview with Dia:gram, Dr Talib talks about her vision for the pathology industry in Malaysia.

The evolution of South Korea’s laboratory medicine industry

Dr Gwi-young Oh is the Laboratory Director of EONE Laboratories, a large reference laboratory in Song Do, Incheon and the first commercial laboratory to introduce radio-immunoassay testing in South Korea. In this interview with Dia:gram, Dr Oh looks at the evolution of laboratory medicine in South Korea and the exciting developments ahead.

Two doctors. One idea.

Can the diagnosis of heart attacks in one hour be made a reality in Asia?

Both doctors share their experience leading Asia’s first study on the one-hour diagnosis of heart attacks using the cardiac high sensitivity troponin T test.

Rising to the threat of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as the single biggest threat to modern day medicine, as new cases surface where patients cannot be treated with any currently available antimicrobial drugs. Today, AMR is responsible for approximately 700,000 deaths per year globally1 and without adequate intervention, could kill as many as 10 million people a year by 2050 1 . As we fast approach a stage where infections once considered minor, thanks to effective treatment by antibiotics, could once again become fatal, we take a look at the factors responsible. In this article, we speak to experts on what can be done to stem the spread of AMR.