OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the economic burden of thalassemia in Jordan in 2019.

METHODS: All 680 thalassemia patients admitted to thalassemia centers in Jordan and coming to out-patients’ clinics from July 1st to Aug 31st, 2019 are included. Data were collected using a pre-developed questionnaire from the electronic medical records. The economic burden was estimated from MOH perspective and societal perspective.

RESULTS: The average annual cost was estimated to be $3,766 for a single thalassemia Jordanian insured patient and $6,516 for un-insured, while the non-Jordanian patient’ annual cost was estimated $6691 if insured and $9367 if un-insured. The total economic burden of thalassemia in Jordan was estimated to be $3,026,395. Of this amount, $1,962,435 was for Jordanians and $1,063,960 for non-Jordanians.

CONCLUSIONS: The latter high burden of thalassemia in Jordan requires adopting new controlling policies; pre-marriage counseling, education and raising awareness should be encouraged.