Fighting thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is a rare and serious genetic blood disorder which results in the destruction of red blood cells. The disease doesn’t have a cure and people living with thalassaemia require regular trips to hospital for blood transfusion. In Pakistan, there is no national plan to deal with the disease. According to healthcare experts, around 100,000 people are diagnosed with thalassaemia every year. The disease has taken the lives of so many people and has killed the dreams and aspiration of many young people and children. The regular treatment, including blood transfusion, is quite expensive. Since the poor cannot afford the treatment, many poor patients die before getting a chance to fight the disease.

Additionally, in our country, there is little awareness about the disease. Therefore, it is imperative to launch awareness campaigns to educate people about the disease and how it can be prevented and controlled. In this regard, the important step is to call for blood donation. In order to tackle the disease and provide a better life to patients living with thalassaemia, it is important that people come forward and donate blood. Our health is our precious gift. We should understand that there is a life in the single drop of blood donated by us. We shouldn’t leave these people alone. The government should also frame a policy for rare diseases like thalassaemia and do everything it can to prevent the disease.

Asif Murad Umrani

Karachi