ISLAMABAD: Health experts said every single drop of blood could save precious lives, urging youngsters to take an active part in awareness campaigns through social media forums to protect humanity from “Thalassemia”. They expressed these remarks on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day.
Prof. Hassan Abbas Zaheer, the World Health Organization’s Advisor on Blood Regulation, Availability, and Safety, stressed the importance of preventive measures, advocating for universal thalassemia screenings before marriage, emphasizing the adage “prevention is better than cure.”
The theme for this year, “Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All,” underscores the imperative to raise awareness and celebrate the resilience of the global thalassemia community.
Emphasizing the significance of premarital screening in preventing thalassemia transmission to future generations, Prof. Zaheer stressed the importance of educating individuals about the disorder and its prevention. Dr. Saqib Ansari underscored the pivotal role of screening tests in early identification and preventive measures against thalassemia.
Explaining thalassemia as an inherited blood disorder causing abnormal or insufficient haemoglobin production, Dr. Ansari highlighted the challenges faced by patients, particularly those with Beta-thalassemia major, who often requires regular blood transfusions to survive beyond their early twenties.
He emphasized the urgent need for consistent blood donations to support children battling thalassemia, haemophilia, and blood cancer, emphasizing the importance of providing free, high-quality blood to deserving patients. —APP
