`Thalassemia is not just challenge for the individual patient but for family,’ CM Sindh

`Thalassemia is not just challenge for the individual patient but for family,’ CM Sindh

KARACHI (May 8): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, emphasised the urgent need to raise awareness about this hereditary and life-threatening disease.

“Thalassemia is not just a challenge for the individual patient but for the entire family,” he stated in his message. He urged the public to donate blood to help save the lives of thalassemia patients and stressed the importance of raising awareness to prevent the disease.

“Protecting the younger generation from thalassemia is a top priority for the Sindh government,” he reaffirmed, committing to comprehensive reforms in the health sector.

Murad Shah highlighted that modern medical facilities are being provided for the treatment of thalassemia throughout the province. According to data from the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority, 9,525 patients, the majority of whom are children, are registered across 26 centres in Sindh.

The CM also mentioned that the Sindh government has established free diagnostic desks for thalassemia and hepatitis at two NADRA centres located in Korangi and Safoora. Additionally, efforts are underway to promote pre-marital screening to curb the spread of the disease.

The Chief Minister stressed that awareness campaigns are being conducted in educational institutions, media platforms, and community programs. “More effective measures are needed to prevent thalassemia,” he said, suggesting that the introduction of a comprehensive screening program could significantly reduce the disease's prevalence.

He also underscored the essential roles of parents, teachers, and religious leaders in addressing thalassemia and announced that public awareness campaigns would be further intensified across the province.