To observe World Thalassemia Day (May 8th), RC PTGD Regional Center Sargodha arranged a Thalassemia Awareness Seminar, Walk, and Screening Camp at Niazi Medical & Dental College Sargodha. The event saw the participation of over 250 students, as well as faculty and staff members.
Objective:
The aim of the seminar, walk, and screening camp was to educate medical faculty and students about the significance of International Thalassemia Day (May 8th) and to introduce PTGD services at the divisional level, emphasizing the importance of pre-marital screening in preventing this disease. Students were encouraged to avail themselves of the free thalassemia testing services provided by PTGD Regional Center Sargodha to contribute to the eradication of thalassemia.
Guests of Honor:
Maj. Gen. Prof. Dr. Farooq Khan – CEO & Dean of Faculty, Niazi Medical College Sargodha
Dr. Mushtaq Bashir – Medical Superintendent, Dr. Faisal Masood / DHQ Teaching Hospital Sargodha
Guest Speakers:
Dr. Khawaja M. Arshad, Associate Professor of Peads, Sargodha Medical College
Mr. Muneeb Rahmat – Regional Coordinator, PTGD Regional Center, Sargodha
Attendees:
Medical students, faculty and staff
Proceedings:
RC PTGD Regional Center Sargodha, in collaboration with Mr. Aziz Akbar (Manager HR & Admin, NMDC), organized a notable event comprising a Thalassemia Awareness Seminar, Walk, and Screening Camp at Niazi Medical & Dental College Sargodha on May 8th, 2024, to mark International Thalassemia Day (8th May).
Maj. Gen. Prof. Dr. Farooq Khan, CEO & Dean of Faculties at NMDC, and Dr. Mushtaq Bashir, MS, Dr. Faisal Masood /DHQ Sargodha, graced the event as Guests of Honor, while Prof. Dr. Khawaja Arshad, Pediatrics Specialist at SMC, and Mr. Muneeb Rahmat, Regional Head of PTGD Sargodha Region, contributed as Guest Speakers, lending considerable significance to the occasion.
During the seminar, Prof. Dr. Khawaja Arshad provided valuable insights into thalassemia, discussing its signs, symptoms, causes, and available curative measures. Mr. Muneeb Rahmat shared updates about PTGD and its Regional Center in the Sargodha Division, emphasizing the importance of thalassemia testing.
While addressing to the audience, Prof. Dr. Farooq Khan and Dr. Mushtaq Bashir along with faculty members commended the complimentary services provided by PTGD Regional Center Sargodha in the division for the community. Both Guests of Honors urged students to undergo premarital screening to prevent thalassemia. They also commended Mr. Muneeb Rahmat for his dedicated efforts in raising awareness about thalassemia prevention within the division.
After the seminar, the Guests of Honor and Guest Speakers, accompanied by faculty members, inaugurated the Thalassemia Screening Camp, where around 55 students underwent thalassemia tests. Subsequently, an awareness walk commenced from the college building to the hospital's Emergency Department, with the participation of Guests of Honor, Guest Speakers, faculty, staff, and students. The students expressed their gratitude to the College Administration and the Regional Coordinator of PTGD Regional Center Sargodha for organizing the seminar, walk and screening camp on World Thalassemia Day. They pledged to spread Mr. Muneeb Rahmat's message of "Get the Thalassemia Test Done before Marriage for a Thalassemia Free Pakistan" among their peers and colleagues.
