Confession. I'm a Hakka mom. We worry, we save money, and we definitely don't ignore doctors.
Let me tell you something every mother should know especially if your daughter is dating.
A young girl goes for a check-up. Doctor says: “Make sure your future husband does a blood test first. If both carry the same condition, your children could get thalassemia.”
Panic. What condition? He didn't name it. Very unhelpful for a mother's blood pressure.
So I Googled.
What is thalassemia trait?
Millions of Malaysians have it. It does’nt matter if you’re Chinese, Malays, Indians etc. No symptoms. But if two carriers marry, each child has a 1-in-4 chance of thalassemia major, a lifelong blood transfusions.
But it's not just thalassemia. There's also G6PD deficiency (favism) which is common in Malaysia. Certain foods or meds can trigger red blood cell breakdown. Newborns get tested, but adults often don't know.
So ask for a haemoglobin electrophoresis test before pregnancy. It screens for thalassemia, G6PD, sickle cell trait, and more.
My own story
Back when I was dating my boyfriend (now husband), he suddenly said: “We have to test our blood.”
I was like, "Eh?! Why? Are we sick?"
But I went with him anyway. Love is blind, right? The test went fine, and we continued dating. Soon got married & have two kids.
Honestly, I can't even remember what the test was for. Something about "blood positive or negative" that couldn't match. Maybe Rhesus factor? I just signed where they pointed. Pan Tian Nyong? Half crazy, stupid, Maybe. But at least we tested.
Moral of the story. Test first. Don't be like young me who just nodded and signed.
A Malaysian scientist fixed it
Dr. Thein Swee Lay, born in Malaysia (Hainanese?, but we Hakka claim her anyway). Dr Thein’s research uncovered a hidden genetic “switch off” that paved the way for breakthrough treatments for the inherited blood disorders beta-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.
She just won the 2026 Breakthrough Prize for using CRISPR to cure thalassemia. One treatment. No more transfusions.
The catch? US$2.8 million (RM12 million). My late father would shake his head: “Pan Tian Nyong! RM12 million? I'd rather eat 120,000 bowls of Hakka thunder tea rice.”
But one day, it'll be affordable.
Congratulations, Dr. Thein Swee Lay.
You're Malaysian talent exported abroad but we claim you proudly. You've given hope to millions.
So mothers, tell your daughters, test future husbands for blood disorders. Simple blood test. Save your grandchildren.
And if you see a RM12 million jab? Wait for the price to drop. Pan Tian Nyong? Maybe. But hopeful and proud? Absolutely.
Chin Yl (chin8122@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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