Molecular diagnosis, carrier screening stressed for blood diseases

Islamabad: The experts during a symposium here on Tuesday called for the molecular diagnosis, carrier screening and role of society for catering to patients with blood-borne diseases.

The event titled 'Hereditary Blood Disorders' was organised in connection with ‘World Haemophilia Day’ by the Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and QAU Welfare Society in collaboration with Fatimid Foundation, Peshawar.

It was held to enhance awareness about inherited blood disorders like haemophilia, thalassemia and leukaemia and to motivate the students to donate blood to the suffering patients.

The experts said there were more than 50,000 registered transfusion dependent thalaessemic patients in Pakistan, and approximately 5,000 babies were born every year with thalassemia in the country.

They said the number of registered haemophilic patients in Pakistan was 20,000 and that the patients of blood-borne disorders were dependent on blood transfusion throughout their life, which not only adversely compromises their quality of life but also renders a great economic and psychological burden on the affected individuals and their families.

The experts said due to the complications arising from blood transfusion and disease management, the mortality of such patients was quite high. They said the average life expectancy for thalassemic children in Pakistan was only 15 years compared to 60 years in developed countries.

Dr. Sajid Malik, Associate Prof. Department of Animal Sciences, QAU, welcomed the audience and the resource persons. He presented an overview of the current state of research on Thalassemia and encouraged the students to donate blood with great zeal and enthusiasm.

Dr. Tahir Chodhary, Professor at Islamic International Medical College & Riffah Medical University, Rawalpindi, shared his experience on the treatment and management of patients with haemophilia and thalassemia.

Dr. Rashda Abbasi, senior scientific officer at Institute of Biomedical & Genetic Engineering, Islamabad, presented an update on the diagnosis and treatment of Leukaemia. Dr. Attiq-Ur-Rehman, former District Health Officer at Peshawar, shared his experience as a volunteer medical officer at Fatimid Foundation Peshawar of catering thalassemic and haemophilic patients for the last 20 years.

Muhammad Mujtaba, a student at Quaid-I-Azam School of Management Sciences (QASMS) at Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad expressed his sufferings of being a thalassemic patient and dependency on blood transfusion from the last 23 years.

In the end of symposium, Dr. Nafees Ahmad, Senior Scientific Officer at Institute of Biomedical & Genetic Engineering, Islamabad, appreciated the role of Fatimid Foundation in providing free and safe blood to hundreds of patients with hereditary blood disorders annually. A large number of students along with faculty members donated blood.