Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute (PTGD)
Awareness Seminar held on 08th May 2025 International Thalassaemia Day
8th May marks International Thalassaemia Day, which is observed worldwide to raise awareness among the general public, healthcare providers, and decision-makers about improving the lives and well-being of thalassaemia patients.
The Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention & Research Institute, Lahore, and the Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Thalassaemia Society of Pakistan, organized an Awareness Seminar to commemorate International Thalassaemia Day 2025 at Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), Lahore.
The Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Khalid Masood Gondal welcomed the distinguished guest. In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal, thanked the distinguished guests—Dr. Shakir, Prof. Dr. Javaria Manan, Prof. Dr. Noureen Akmal, Prof. Dr. Shabnam Bashir, and Prof. Dr. Bilquis Shabbir—for attending the seminar. He also congratulated Dr. Yasmeen Ehsan for organizing the successful event. He praised Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute, for providing state-of-the-art screening and prevention services for thalassaemia. He expressed pride in the fact that FJMU hosts the largest thalassaemia prevention program in the world.
The theme of this year’s Awareness Seminar was “Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritizing Patients.” The primary objective of the seminar was to raise awareness about the diagnosis, prevention, and eradication of thalassaemia. A tableau was presented by thalassaemia-affected children as part of the program.
Dr. Shakir, an eminent educationist, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Dr. Yasmeen Ehsan, Director General of PTGD, gave a comprehensive briefing on the services provided by the Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute. She explained that, the Government of Punjab established this institute, which now offers free prevention and treatment services in all 36 districts of the province. She highlighted that nine regional laboratories are providing essential facilities including blood tests for thalassaemia, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, premarital screening, and DNA testing. She thanked Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal, Dr. Shakir, Prof. Dr. Javaria Manan, Prof. Dr. Noureen Akmal, Prof. Dr. Shabnam Bashir, Prof. Dr. Bilquis Shabbir, and all participants for their valuable presence and support.
Prof. Dr. Shabnam Bashir, Director of IBTS, gave a detailed briefing on the Punjab Thalassaemia Registry. She also expressed her gratitude to the Punjab Information Technology Board for developing EMR software free of cost for PTGD.
Additionally, Prof. Dr. Javaria Manan addressed the issues faced by thalassaemia patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and requested the worthy Vice Chancellor to help resolve them.
At the end of the seminar, shields were distributed among the esteemed guests. The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Prof. Dr. Bilquis Shabbir.
