LAHORE Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique has said collective efforts are required to fight against poverty, illiteracy and diseases with a national spirit. He said thalassemia is a threat for our children for which an intensive awareness campaign among the masses should be launched to promote pre-marriage thalassemia blood test of couples to stop spread of thalassemia in society. He said this while talking to the media at Lahore Railways Station after seeing off the delegation of children suffering from thalassemia for Karachi on Thursday. Prof Yasmin Rashid of Thalassemia Society of Pakistan and other members of the NGO were present. Kh Salman Rafique said legislation in Punjab for Safe Blood Transfusion and control of thalassemia would be carried out very soon. Commenting in the presence of Prof Yasmin Rashid, who is also a leader of PTI, Kh Salman Rafique said her presence on this occasion is a proof that political parties should work together on the issues of national interest and protection of children is a collective responsibility of every segment of society. He was delighted that the thalassemia patients had participated in the first National Thalassemia conference ten years ago. He appreciated these young boys are fighting against this deadly blood disease boldly. Kh Salman Rafique said Punjab Thalassemia Prevention Programme is being expanded and strengthened in Punjab. He said on the direction of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, thalassemia prevention centres will be set up at all at district headquarter. The 10th National Thalassemia Conference will start on November 27 (today) and continue till November 29.
