Malaysian couple parts ways over rare blood disorder that could endanger future baby

Both doctors at the same hospital, they have a hereditary blood disorder that can result in anaemia and require regular blood transfusions

A person who inherits two thalassaemia genes – one from each parent – has a 25 per cent chance of having thalassaemia major that would mean a shorter lifespan

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Though Dr Farra Diana knew her fiance carried the abnormal gene, they found out she was also a carrier only after they got engaged. Photo: Twitter/Farra Diana

Published: 8:00am, 7 Jun 2023

A couple in Malaysia have broken off their engagement after finding out that they are both carriers of thalassaemia, a blood disorder passed on from parent to child, which can lead to anaemia and require regular blood transfusions.

Dr Farra Diana, 27, shared her heartbreaking story on May 27, stating that her former fiancé Ashraff had told her “early on” that he was a thalassaemia carrier.

But neither party, who are both doctors at a Kota Kinabalu hospital, saw an issue as they never guessed that she would also carry the abnormal gene.

According to HealthHub, a person who has inherited one thelassemia gene is said to have thalassaemia minor and can lead a normal, healthy life without even knowing that they have it. However, they can still pass on the thalassaemia gene to their children.

A person who inherits two thalassaemia genes – one from each parent – has a 25 per cent chance of having thalassaemia major, a severe form of anaemia which leads to poor growth and development as well as a shorter lifespan.

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