KARACHI, May 7: Various organizations have announced events in connection with the International Thalassaemia Day, celebrated globally on May 8. It is said there are over 100,000 thalassaemic children in the country, and 22 per cent of these are located in Sindh. Besides, 4,000 to 8,000 are born with the disease every year. Thalassaemia includes different forms of anaemia.

The use of frequent blood transfusion and antibiotics can improve the outlook for children with thalassaemia major – the most severe form of the disease.

However, the disease cannot be caught from another child who has it, said an expert, adding the disease was passed only through parents, who carried the thalassaemia gene in their cells.

To avert the situation, doctors say that pre-marriage testing for the trait is considered a safe way to eliminate the chances of having an unhealthy child.

On an average, the treatment and rehabilitation of a thalassaemia child costs Rs600,000 annually, while the rate of survival of such children beyond 10 years has also been disappointing.

It is estimated that over seven million people in Pakistan are thalassaemia carriers.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi, the Sindh WHO operation officer, stressed the need for launching a national programme like that of polio eradication programme. He said government should ensure thalassaemia treatment centres in rural areas.

Meanwhile, the Hussaini Blood Bank will organize a function for thalassaemic children on May 8 at 3pm on its premises. Leading showbiz personalities are expected to attend the function.