An Awareness Seminar on National Thalassaemia Prevention Day was organized in collaboration with Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, with the aim of promoting awareness and prevention strategies against Thalassaemia.
Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal, Vice Chancellor FJMU, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Dr. Shabnam Bashir, Director IBTS Punjab and Professor of Pathology at AIMC, and Prof. Dr. Noreen Akmal, Ex-Principal FJMC, attended as Guests of Honour.
The seminar was organized by Director General, PTGD Dr. Yasmeen Ehsan, who also delivered an insightful and comprehensive lecture on Thalassaemia Prevention and Eradication.
In the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare and quoted, “The one who saves a life is as if he has saved the whole of mankind” and “The best among you is the one who benefits people.” He highlighted that prevention is better than cure, and seminars like these play a vital role in spreading awareness. He further shared that the Punjab Thalassaemia Institute is providing comprehensive services for Thalassaemia patients across all 36 districts of Punjab, underscoring the government’s commitment to healthcare accessibility.
Prof. Dr. Noreen Akmal stressed that preventive measures are the most effective way to eliminate Thalassaemia, as demonstrated by global practices. She emphasized the importance of Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) as a key screening tool for expectant mothers and urged that premarital Thalassaemia screening be made a routine practice for young couples planning to marry.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Dr. Shabnam Bashir mentioned that Thalassaemia awareness in Pakistan is being focused. She highlighted the significance of diagnosing Thalassaemia minor in both males and females before marriage and shared that Pakistan is now among the few countries capable of diagnosing Thalassaemia during pregnancy. She also mentioned that the world’s largest Thalassaemia Prevention Program is affiliated with Fatima Jinnah Medical University. She further appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Government for establishing the Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorder Prevention and Research Institute, which provides free facilities including blood testing, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, premarital Thalassaemia testing, and DNA laboratory services to combat such hereditary diseases.
The seminar also featured heartwarming tableaus presented by Thalassaemia children, which were highly appreciated by the audience.
At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masud Gondal presented honorary shields to the distinguished guests as a token of appreciation for their contributions toward Thalassaemia prevention and awareness.
