KARACHI: Expressing grave concern over the growing number of thalassaemia patients in the country, Mayor Wasim Akhtar suggested that medical check-up of marrying couple should be conducted before their marriage so that the disease could be prevented.

Addressing an event organised by the Afzaal Memorial Thalassaemia Foundation for collecting blood donations, he said that around 10 million people were thalassaemia carriers but they were unaware of that. “Before marriage test should be conducted of both male and female as the disease is inherited from parents,” he added.

Mr Akhtar said that according to doctors if both man and woman were thalassaemia minor patients, there would be a definite chance for their baby to have thalassaemia. “The only way we can prevent the disease is to conduct tests before marriage,” he suggested.

Call for blood donations

The mayor asked people of the city, particularly the youth, to come forward and donate blood to help 15,000 thalassaemia patients in Karachi.

The mayor said the city government would take all-out measures for the patients.

He said: “Around 15,000 patients of thalassaemia require blood. The youth of Karachi should donate blood to save these lives.”

Mr Akhtar added that the number of thalassaemia patients exceeded 100,000 across the country and the main cause was cousin marriages and not conducting tests ahead of marriages.

He was of the view that blood collections for thalassaemia patients had decreased considerably owing to the lockdown. “Many people have donated blood on our appeal, which is commendable, but there is a dire need for blood as thalassaemia patients depend upon this,” he added.

The mayor said that thalassaemia patients needed new blood after every 10 to 40 days due to complications, adding that a common man could not bear expenses of bone marrow transplant worth around Rs2 million.

Mayor hails welfare bodies

Meanwhile, the mayor hailed welfare and social organisations that were serving the masses in this difficult time and providing ration to the needy people during the lockdown.

Inaugurating a food distribution programme on nominal prices arranged by UC-34 Karimabad, he asked philanthropists and welfare organisations to continue serving humanity, adding that this would pave the way for better times.

The mayor said that the chairmen of the DMCs and UCs stood beside the people and didn’t leave them alone, adding that they all were aware of their responsibilities and making efforts to distribute ration at UC level.

He said: “The ration and food are distributed to people on their doorstep but the same is not being publicised for the sake of their self-respect. A nominal amount is charged from the people for cooked food as well.”

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2020