Disease awareness: Thalassaemia rate high in Malakand

Al-Fajar Foundation arranges blood for more than 200 patients.

SWAT:

“I am ready to sell myself for the survival of my child,” said Saleem Naz, the father of a thalassaemia patient. He was sharing his agony with an audience at an awareness function held in connection with World Thalassaemia Day in Swat on Sunday. As he spoke, the audience could not hold back the tears in their eyes.

Umar Tariq, a father of three children with thalassaemia shared his views, “Today finding one blood bag is not possible, I salute the administration and staff of Al-Fajar who regularly finds blood for more than 200 registered patients.”

A large number of parents of thalassaemia patients, civil society persons and local elders attended the event that was organised by Al-Fajar Foundation, the only hospital in Malakand Division.

The rate of thalassaemia incidence is alarmingly high in Malakand Division as compared to other parts of the country.

Briefing the audience about thalassaemia, Sar Zamin Khan, an expert of the disease explained that the disease is caused by genes inherited from the biological parents. It can develop if only one parent has abnormal genes.

About the symptoms of the disease he said, “Symptoms most often begin within 3-6 months of birth and include anemia, jaundice, enlarged spleen, fatigue, lethargy, reduced appetite, enlarged and fragile bones, growth problems, increased susceptibility to infection, pale skin, hormone problems, heart failure, shortness of breath, liver problems and gallstones.”

Diagnosis and treatment were also discussed, but the expert stressed that prevention of the diseases is only possible if blood tests are carried out before marriage.

Maulana Sadiq Ahmad who runs a maddrassa, said, “The 200 students of my madrassa are regular donors with Al-Fajar Foundation. We not only feel special but it is our duty to save lives of the young generation of our country. Whenever the hospital needs blood we welcome them.”

Some of the audience could not control their tears when thalassaemic children appeared on the stage and expressed their resolve to fight the disease.

There are more than 7,000 patients of the fatal disease, which is increasing at an alarming rate, but there is no single government hospital, only philanthropic organisations have taken the responsibility. “It is the duty of the state to provide facilities to the patients, but unfortunately no such platform exists,” said Khalid Mahmood, an elder of the Pakhtunkhwa Mili Awami Party.

Bushra, a young girl carrying the disease, thanked Al-Fajar Foundation for taking care of her, calling it the best hospital in the world.

“This is the only hospital which provides blood transfusion free of cost in the country,” said Rahimullah, the father of a patient.

APP adds from Mirpur: World Thalassaemia Day was also observed in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday with renewal of the pledge to utilise maximum efforts to save the patients of thalassaemia by ensuring regular transfusion of blood and other required treatment.

Special ceremonies were held in the public sector hospitals in various parts of AJK to observe the day while a ceremony followed by a walk entitled Umeed-e-Kiren Walk starting at the Thalassaemia Treatment Centre located in DHQ Hospital under the auspices of Al-Shifa Blood Bank, Mirpur.

Speakers at the walk said the first modern Thalassaemia Treatment Centre in AJK is here at DHQ hospital.

They recalled that the centre was set up in collaboration with philanthropists engaged in serving the community.

They also pointed out that establishment of the Thalassaemia Centre was a pilot project of the integrated plan chalked out to extend the latest medical treatment to thalassaemia patients by establishing special treatment centres in all eight DHQ hospitals in AJK.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2011.