Spread the word: Seminar held for thalassemia awareness

The ICU VC it can be prevented by a simple thalassemia test before marriage

PESHAWAR:

A seminar was held at Islamia College University, Peshawar to generate awareness about thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder.

“Thousands of children become the victim of this hereditary disease every year – it has no proper cure,” ICU Vice Chancellor Ajmal Khan said. He was speaking at the event titled, ‘Jihad for Zero Thalassemia’ on Wednesday.

He added, “By creating awareness regarding this fatal disease we can reduce the number of deaths caused by thalassemia.”

The vice chancellor added thalassemia is a major health concern in Pakistan and is the most prevalent genetically-transmitted blood disorder.

“It can be prevented by a simple thalassemia test before marriage,” he said. “Screening to identify thalassemia carriers, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis can greatly reduce the growth rate of thalassemia.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2016.