Scores of thalassemia patients found in Swat, FATA

The two regions have the highest number of thalassemia patients in the country

SWAT: Swat and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas have the highest number of thalassemia patients in the country, health experts said on Saturday.

Addressing a seminar at the Swat Medical College, Dr Jawaria Manan stressed that both Swat and Fata were prone to thalassemia, a blood disorder passed down through families in which the body produces an abnormal form of haemoglobin.

Dr Mannan observed that although thalassemia was a fatal disease it could be controlled by adopting certain preventive measures and creating awareness among the people.

“Families with thalassemia patients must refrain from intermarriages as there is a strong likelihood of getting thalassemia,” Jawaria said.



She explained that the main reason behind the spread of thalassemia in Fata was the lack of awareness among people.

“People in Fata are inclined to traditionalism and do not pay heed to the contemporary education that has made people aware across the world about thalassemia,” she added.

Dr Naeemullah put the total number of thalassemia patients in Swat to 3,000, while the estimated figure for Fata was put at 2,000.

He underscored the need to hold similar seminars across the region to create awareness among the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2016.