Venue: Ali Auditorium, The University of Faisalabad (TUF) - Sargodha Road, Faisalabad
The Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute (PTGD) Regional Centre Faisalabad arranged a Thalassaemia awareness seminar and Screening Camp in collaboration with The University of Faisalabad. A total of 124 students from TUF’ the Pathology Department attended the seminar. The objective of the seminar was to create awareness about Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders among the masses and how its prevention is possible.
The seminar started with the recitation of Holy Quran followed by Naat. Dr.Yasmeen Ehsan, Additional Director PTGD Lahore briefed the participants about the introduction of Thalassaemia and other Genetic Disorders Prevention. She further highlighted the different services offered by PTGD that included extended family screening, pre-natal diagnosis (Chorionic Villus Sampling - CVS), genetic counselling and DNA testing. The participants were informed about the establishment of PTGD Regional Centre Faisalabad where facilities like advanced haematology laboratory, CVS, genetic counselling are available free of cost to the Faisalabad division population. She further shared about Thalassaemia disease; types of Thalassaemia; how it is transferred from parents to children; who is Thalassaemia major, carrier or intermedia; how Thalassaemia can be prevented; its incidence and prevalence internationally and locally and how different countries had been successful for Thalassaemia prevention and were able to reduce its incidence.
Dr. Hussain Jaffri, Director General (PTGD) briefed the participants Punjab Thalassaemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention & Research Institute and divisional level our nine Regional Haematology Labs are functional and providing the facilities of Thalassaemia test free of cost all over the Punjab.
In the end, Dr. Shazia Aslam Pathology Department, TUF thanked to PTGD team and for conducting the awareness seminar and Screening camp. Dr Tanzila Khalid awarded Shield Dr.Yasmeen Ehsan, Additional Director (PTGD) Lahore. She appreciated opening of Regional Centre Faisalabad and promised to establish strong liaison in order to contribute mission ‘Thalassaemia Free Pakistan’. Prof Dr. Akram Malik Awarded Shield Dr. Hussain Jaffri Director General (PTGD) Lahore.
After the seminar, a screening camp was arranged where students voluntarily provided blood samples for the purpose of Thalassaemia Screening. A total of 119 samples were collected for CBC analysis.
