Minister emphasises joint efforts to raise awareness about blood disorders

Islamabad:Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Sayed Imran Ahmed Shah on Thursday underlined the importance of raising awareness about blood disorders and urged media, parliamentarians and civil society to play their due role in educating people and promoting early diagnosis and treatment.

“Today, we must pledge to intensify our collective efforts to fight diseases like haemophilia that threaten the future of our children. This is not just a matter of welfare-it is a matter of national survival,” the minister said during a visit to the Thalassemia Centre, jointly operated by Pakistan Baitul Mal and Sundas Foundation, here on the occasion of World Haemophilia Day. he interacted with thalassemia and haemophilia patients, including young children, and later addressed a gathering of stakeholders and attendees. The minister reiterated the government’s “clear and steadfast commitment” to combating inherited blood disorders such as haemophilia and thalassemia and said the government, in collaboration with welfare organizations, was taking concrete steps to address those challenges and strengthen healthcare support.

Highlighting the partnership between Pakistan Baitul Mal and Sundas Foundation, he described it as a model worthy of replication.The minister praised the Islamabad Centre for offering not only free medical care but also educational support, training and travel assistance to hundreds of patients.

He expressed delight at visiting the centre, recalling that it was inaugurated by the late Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, whose efforts reflected the government’s longstanding dedication to public health.

Sayed Imran proposed that a modern thalassemia centre be established in the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital through a public-private partnership, in consultation with hospital management, so that this successful model can be expanded to other cities across Pakistan. He said that over the past five years, Pakistan Baitul Mal had provided Rs 637.7 million in financial aid to 3,228 thalassemia patients, along with significant support for haemophilia and blood cancer patients.

The minister pledged to personally visit other regional centres to stay informed of patients’ needs and challenges. He said eliminating blood disorders required more than just medical facilities - it demanded nationwide awareness, scientific research and institutional cooperation.He commended Sundas Foundation for its dedicated services and said the ministry would utilise all possible resources to advance that vital public health mission.