ISLAMABAD: As World Thalassaemia Day was observed across the globe on Sunday, the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) said over 100,000 thalassaemia major patients exist in the country.

However, the exact overall figure of thalassemia patients in the country is not known as no national baseline survey has ever been conducted.

There are three types of thalassaemia — minor, major and intermedia.

A person with thalassaemia major suffers from the disease throughout his life while a patient with thalassaemia intermedia can get thalassaemia major any time. A person afflicted with thalassaemia minor leads a normal life but is a carrier and can pass on the disease to his or her child.

Because of the disease, body stops making red blood cells due to which blood is given to the patients. The only cure is ‘bone marrow transplant’ which is not only very expensive but also requires a donor.

Meanwhile, Al Aqsa Welfare Trust organised a seminar at the National Press Club on Sunday to create awareness among people about the disease.

The trust’s president, Mohammad Hameed Khan Edhi, urged people to donate blood as thousands of children need blood to survive.

“A large number of children of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other far-flung areas travel to Islamabad and Rawalpindi to get blood after spending huge amount. I urge people to keep extending financial support to organisations working for thalassaemia patients,” he said.

He also called on people to get prospective brides and grooms tested for thalassaemia.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2022