ISLAMABAD-
World Thalassemia Day is being observed today (Thursday) across the world including Pakistan to spread awareness about the genetic disease.
This year theme is Economic Recession Observe Joint Forces Safeguard Health.
Thalassemia is a hereditary disease of the blood caused by genetic defects in the patient’s body which result in production of an abnormal form of haemoglobin thus causing anaemia.
It is a genetic blood disorder in which children cannot make enough Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.
It is actually a group of inherited diseases of the blood that affect a person’s ability to produce haemoglobin resulting in anaemia.
Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body. About 100,000 babies worldwide are born with severe forms of thalassemia each year.