In order to mark the World Thalassemia Day, the Sindh government has introduced strict rules and made prior thalassemia investigation as mandatory for everyone wishing to get married.
In this regard, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan issued an Ordinance “Thalassemia Healthcare” at an event held at the Governor’s House on Wednesday.
Per the ordinance, a separate blank would be included in the nikah namas and the nikah khuwan would be bound to fill that box after checking the medical reports of the groom regarding thalassemia. Interestingly, the married males have also been instructed to get their thalassemia tests at the earliest, according to a notification.
Moreover, the thalassemia centres in all the districts of the province have been established that would start functioning within days. These newly set up centres would work on the same lines as vaccination centres established for the children.
On the occasion, the governor stated that there was dire need for introduction of strict law to contain the spread of this deadly disease, adding that a strong awareness campaign was the need of the hour.
Separately, KMC Administrator Hashim Zaidi said that saving the lives of children suffering from thalassemia was a good deed in which rich, common people and especially blood banks could play a vital role, however; the storage of healthy blood for the treatment of thalassemia patients in hospitals and blood banks should ensured that pure blood was donated by the people to be later provided to needy patients.
He further said that KMC was taking all possible measures in this connection for the treatment of thalassemia and hemophilia patients.
He said this while addressing a meeting held on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day.
The KMC administrator said that thalassemia was an inherent disease which was transferred to newborn child from the mother. Children suffering from thalassemia have to bear change of blood two to three times every month whereas children suffering from hemophilia required factor plasma, otherwise it would be impossible to save their lives.
Furthermore, he said that blood diseases were increasing rapidly in Pakistan and seven percent people carrying germs of thalassemia and hemophilia were found here. If they were provided with right and timely treatment, they could lead a normal life which was their right.
The administrator also said it was matter of concern that the parents of such children usually have to face difficulty due to lack of blood whereas treatment was also very costly. Therefore it was necessary to ensure the availability of blood free of cost for children suffering from thalassemia and awareness for donating blood should be created so that the availability of blood in hospitals and blood banks would be ensured.
He also said that cousin marriage was a main cause of thalassemia and hemophilia and it was very difficult to save the children suffering from thalassemia, blood cancer and other such diseases. Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Test was very necessary before marriage for being safe from this disease so that upcoming generations could also be guarded from this fatal disease.
Moreover, the KMC was reviewing to start this test in its hospitals and medical clinics so that citizens could be provided with this facility, he informed.
He said KMC was also taking measures to ensure the availability of blood for patients whereas Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Sobhraj Maternity Home and Sarfaraz Rafiqui Shaheed Hospital were already operative.
He further said that KMC was spending a huge amount on public health every month and was also busy in curbing infectious diseases all year round, along with providing blood to thousands of people. He concluded by saying that KMC also provided for medical treatment for children suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia and blood cancer.
