Experts urge thalassemia test before marriage
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that prevents the production of haemoglobin, leaving the patient anaemic. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Balochistan can be free from thalassemia by creating awareness among the people, said speakers in a seminar at the Balon Medical Complex Hospital.
"Due to the excellent care of children admitted to BMC Hospital's Thalassemia Center, not only the mortality rate has decreased but also the frequency of blood transfusions has increased significantly," they added.
Secretary Health Abdullah Khan said that some diseases could not be cured only by medicine but awareness campaign was essential against them. “If we check the registration records of married couples, it will be found that many married couples are not aware of this legislation which states that if a couple is tested for thalassemia before marriage, it can be controlled. It can be easy to find,” he added.
He said that in order to control the disease, it was necessary to implement the Balochistan Thalassemia Prevention Act, according to which it was mandatory to conduct a thalassemia test before marriage.
Published in The Express Tribune May 15th, 2024.