The International Thalassemia Day, 08th May, 2024.
Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute (PTGD)
Awareness Activity and Awareness Walk
8th May marks the International Thalassemia Day, which is celebrated all over the world to raise awareness among the general public, health care providers, & decision-makers to improve the lives and well-being of Thalassemia patients all over the world.
The Punjab Thalassemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention & Research Institute, Lahore, and the Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan, in collaboration with Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, organized an Awareness Activity and an Awareness Walk to commemorate International Thalassaemia Day 2024 at Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU), Lahore.
The Vice Chancellor of King Edward Medical University, Prof. Mahmood Ayaz, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Khalid Masood Gondal welcomed the distinguished guest. Former Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Shireen Khawar and Former Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Shamsa Humayun graced the event as Guests of Honours.
Principal Prof. Noreen Akmal, Chairperson Department of Medicine/ Director Quality Enhancement Cell/ Dean Nursing Prof. Bilquis Shabbir, Director General PTGD Dr. Hussain Jafri, faculty members, and a large number of undergraduate students attended the event.
The theme of today's Activity was "Empowering Lives, Embracing Progress: Equitable and Accessible Thalassemia Treatment for All." The main objective of the Activity was to create awareness regarding the diagnosis, prevention, and eradication of thalassemia and other hereditary diseases.
In the welcome address, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal thanked the distinguished guests for attending the awareness activity and congratulated Dr. Hussain Jafri for organizing this wonderful awareness activity. He praised Dr. Hussain Jafri, Director General, Punjab Thalassemia and other Genetic Diseases Diagnosis, Prevention, and Research Institute for providing state of the art screening and prevention services for Thalassaemia. He also said that it FJMU is very proud of the fact that it hosts the largest Thalassaemia Prevention program in the world.
The Vice-Chancellor of King Edward Medical University, Professor Mahmood Ayaz, said that a child suffering from thalassemia needs blood donations throughout his life, and at the end, he loses his life. The main cause of thalassemia is a lack of awareness. When two thalassemia minor patients (carriers) get married, the risk of having children with thalassemia major is greatly increased
Former Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Shamsa Humayun said that this disease affects not only the patient but also the entire family and causes Phycological and Financial burden. In modern times, it is also possible to diagnose thalassemia during pregnancy.
Former Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Shireen Khawar said that Fatima Jinnah Medical University has the honour of having the world's largest Thalassemia Prevention Centre affiliated with it. Thalassemia patients have improved over time, and their life expectancy has increased because of the unparalleled service of the Thalassemia team.
Dr. Hussain Jafri, Director General PTGD gave a detailed briefing on the Punjab Thalassemia Prevention Programme. He said that to eradicate thalassemia and other hereditary diseases, the Government of Punjab established the Punjab Thalassemia and Other Genetic Diseases Diagnosis, Prevention, and Research Institute in 2009–2010. The institute is providing complete prevention and eradication of Thalassemia and other hereditary diseases free of cost in 36 districts across Punjab. 09 Regional Laboratories of Punjab are providing facilities like Blood Test for Thalassemia, Genetic Counselling, Prenatal Diagnosis, Pre-marital Thalassemia Test Screening and DNA Lab facility. Along with providing health facilities, progress is also being made in research. He thanked Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, Principal Prof. Noreen Akmal, distinguished guests, and all the participants.
Prof. Bilquis Shabbir highlighted the need for better access to quality, lifelong thalassemia education for people with the disorder and those involved in their care as a contribution from everyone to reducing the prevalence of thalassemia.
The Principal Prof. Noreen Akmal presented a vote of thanks. She emphasized the need for the prevention of Thalassaemia, especially uptake of carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis by Thalassaemia families was extremely important. Moreover, Prof. Noreen also stressed that awareness and collective action to understand the condition are crucial for its effective treatment and prevention.
