A two-day 8th national thalassemia conference began in Rawalpindi on Saturday to discuss strategies to make Pakistan a Thalassemia free country.
The conference is organized by Islamic International Medical College, a constituent institute of Riphah international University, in collaboration with the Thalasaemia Federation of Pakistan.
Renowned Scientist Dr. Inam-Ur-Rehman was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the conference. The Vice Chancellor of Riphah International University, Prof. Dr. Anees Ahmad and the Secretary of Thalassemia Federation of Pakistan, Dr. Yasmin Rashid were the key note speakers at the inaugural session.
The conference is part of National Thalassaemia week being observed by the Pakistan Thalasaemia Federation from May 2 to May 8 to create public awareness about the disease.
Dr. Inam Ur-Rehman, in his address, congratulated RIPHAH International University and Thalassemia Federation for organizing the conference and hoped its recommendations will help in eliminating Thalassemia from Pakistan. He said following of religion and wholeheartedly serving the ailing humanity are the major sources of peaceful and successful life. Prof. Dr. Anees Ahmed in his key note speech, threw light on the Islamic and Shariah aspects of the preventive measures to avoid the disease. He said that Shariah is not a complicated thing and it is very simple to follow it for better health and good life. Quran and Shariah have given clear guidance for prevention of diseases and leading a healthy life.
He stressed to make use of modern technology such as telemedicine for diagnosis and treatment of Thalassemia. He also suggested forming a youth force to work for creating awareness about Thalassemia and help patients for their treatment. It should also be made a subject of curriculum at college and university levels so that our youth are aware of the disease and its causes. The Secretary General of Thalassemia Federation Dr Yasmin Rashid spoke about the clinical preventive measures to eradicate Thalassemia from the society. She said that families having Thalaseemia history should get screening of their children before marriages. She highlighted the steps being taken by the Thalassemia Federation to help patients to get treatment and become normal citizens of the country.
The President of Thalassemia Federation, Lt General (R) Moin-Ud-Din Haider said, cousin marriages are one of the main cause of Thalassaemia, it is a curable and not terrible disease. He said that federation is working day and night to see Pakistan a Thalassemia free country. He appreciated the role of Pakistan Bait ul Mal (PBM) and the governmental and non-governmental organizations for taking steps to prevent the spread of Thalassemia and help the patients to become useful citizens. The conference during its two-day working sessions will discuss various issues relating to Thalasaemia and its treatment. It will also discuss Thalassaemia situation in Pakistan and the preventive measures to control the spreading of the disease.
The speakers informed the participants that the children with thalassemia needed monthly blood transfusions apart from pharmacological treatment to control the iron overload. Pakistan has nearly 10 million people who are thalassemia carriers and around 6,000 babies are born with thalassemia major every year, they added.
