Punjab to set up thalassemia centres across divisions

LAHORE: Punjab’s Primary and Secondary Healthcare Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir has said modern thalassemia centers will be established in every division to ensure access to healthy and safe blood transfusion facilities for patients.

The minister said this while visiting the offices of Fatemeed Foundation and Sundus Foundation separately to commemorate International Thalassemia Day. Khawaja Imran Nazir individually visited children affected by thalassemia at Fatemeed Foundation and Sundus Foundation, distributing gifts among them.

Speaking at the event organised by the Sundus Foundation on World Thalassemia Day, he praised the institution and staff for their compassionate services to thalassemia-affected children, referring to them as angels. He acknowledged the excellent medical facilities provided by these institutions to thalassemia patients.

The provincial health minister emphasised the importance of mandatory diagnostic testing for thalassemia before marriage, with plans to expedite the legislative process in this regard. He stressed the importance of supporting thalassemia patients, saying that cooperation with these institutions would bring joy to the children affected by the disease. He emphasised the need for a collective effort to eradicate thalassemia and assured that the Punjab government would support these institutions in alleviating the burden of thalassemia treatment. Khawaja Imran Nazir paid tribute to the late Munnu Bhai for his valuable contributions. Director of Social Welfare and Professor Saima Farhan also addressed the event, providing information about the disease.

Meanwhile, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited a thalassemia centre in Garden Town on World Thalassemia Awareness Day on Wednesday. The provincial minister led the awareness walk in which children suffering from thalassemia also participated and presented gifts to the children. He said a diagnostic test for thalassemia should be made mandatory before marriage.

We will ensure legislation in this regard in the Punjab Assembly, he added. He said children suffering from thalassemia deserve our attention. We all have to play a role to control the disease of thalassemia.

UVAS holds walk, seminar on World Thalassemia Day

The Blood Donor Society of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore arranged walk, seminar and blood camp to mark World Thalassemia Day on Wednesday. Aiming to make the country thalassemia-free, the walk and seminar were arranged to create awareness among public regarding the deadly disease with the theme of “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress”.

Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani led the walk, starting from Vice-Chancellor office and culminating in front of UVAS main lawn. A large number of faculty members and students participated in the walk.