THALASSEMIA AWARENESS: I recently watched an insightful interview on television regarding thalassemia. The doctor explained that thalassemia patients need to infuse blood after every 15 days. He also revealed that there were about 100,000 children affected by thalassemia in the country who need one million litres of blood on an annual basis. The doctor insisted that every couple should have medical blood screening before marriage to cut down the chances of having children affected by thalassemia. There are a number of blood centres that offer free blood screening across Pakistan, and people must make use of such services.

Mumraiz Khan
Karachi

TEACHERS’ SALARIES: The Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) is a semi-autonomous organisation under the Sindh government, committed to providing quality education in the province. Numerous schools operate under its umbrella in both urban and underprivileged areas. These schools are run by school partners, both individuals and organisations. However, it is a matter of concern that in the face of high inflation, teachers receive relatively low salaries, ranging from Rs8,000 to Rs12,000 which is paid every quarter from school partners. It is essential for school partners to increase the salaries. The SEF should ensure that teachers receive their salaries monthly.

Farooque Khoso
Johi

POTABLE WATER: Hub is situated in close proximity to the Hub Dam, but continues to suffer from the scarcity of potable water due to ineffective adminis- tration and widespread corruption, primarily within the irrigation sector and the city’s administration. These factors have facilitated the emergence of a water tanker mafia, which sells water at exorbitant prices. It is disheartening to witness such mismanagement as it deprives the people of their fundamental right to have access to clean drinking water every single day.

Muhammad Ibrahim
Hub

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024