PTGD Sargodha Region successfully organized a Grand Thalassemia Awareness Walk and Screening Camp at The University of Sargodha to commemorate International Thalassemia Day (8th May). The walk witnessed the presence of over 400 students, along with faculty and staff members.
Objective:
The primary objective of the Thalassemia Awareness Activity was to observe International Thalassemia Day on 8th May and highlight the significance of pre-marital screening in preventing Thalassemia. Additionally, the walk aimed to promote awareness among students, staff, and faculty about free preventive services offered by PTGD and its Regional Center in Sargodha.
Chief Guest:
Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas
The Vice Chancellor
The University of Sargodha, Sargodha
Guest Speaker:
Mr. Muneeb Rahmat
Regional Coordinator
PTGD Regional Center, Sargodha
Attendees:
Students, Staff and Faculty of University
Proceedings:
On the occasion of International Thalassemia Day (8th May), Punjab Thalassemia & Other Genetic Disorders Prevention & Research Institute PTGD Sargodha Region in collaboration with Directorate of Student Affairs, organized an awareness walk and a screening camp at the University of Sargodha. The esteemed Chief Guest for this event was Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas, The Vice Chancellor, University of Sargodha.
The objective of the walk was to increase awareness about Thalassemia Disease and its effects on individuals and families. The walk, headed by the Vice Chancellor UOS, Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas, the Regional Coordinator of PTGD Sargodha Region, Mr. Muneeb Rahmat, and Director of Student affairs Dr. Mahmood ul Hassan, witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty members, and staff holding banners with the messages highlighting the significance of thalassemia test before marriage for Prevention of Thalassemia.
Before starting the walk, Mr. Muneeb Rahmat addressed the students and discussed the causes of Thalassemia and provided insights on how to prevent this disease. He stressed the importance of proactively undergoing these tests before marriage to prevent the transmission of thalassemia. He also emphasized the students availing of the Free Thalassemia Screening Services offered at the PTGD Regional Center Sargodha, Government of Punjab.
Following the walk, Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas, accompanied by Mr. Muneeb Rahmat and Dr. Mahmood ul Hassan, inaugurated the screening camp and expressed pressing need to educate students about the debilitating nature of thalassemia. Prof. Dr. Qaiser also emphasized the significance of early diagnosis facilitated by screening tests, as it plays a crucial role in preventing the further spread of thalassemia. He commended the initiative of PTGD and its Regional Center in Sargodha, Government of Punjab, and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated efforts of Mr. Muneeb Rahmat, Regional Coordinator, PTGD Sargodha Region, in organizing the walk and camp at the University, which aimed to raise awareness among the general public especially young generation about this noble cause. A significant number of students availed themselves of the opportunity to undergo Thalassemia Test at the screening camp organized by PTGD Sargodha Region. The students expressed their gratitude towards the University's Management, Regional Coordinator and Team of PTGD Sargodha Region for raising awareness about Thalassemia and arranging the free of cost screening test services at their door-step. They made a commitment to Mr. Muneeb Rahmat, to actively promote his message of "Getting your Thalassemia Test Done before Marriage from PTGD for Thalassemia Major Free Pakistan as Prevention is Better than Cure" among their friends and colleagues.
While talking to Media, both Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas and Mr. Muneeb Rahmat emphasized the significance of promoting awareness about prevention of thalassemia. They also emphasized the need for premarital screening as a crucial step in this regard. Prof. Dr. Qaiser Abbas further reiterated his dedication and commitment to PTGD Regional Center in Sargodha, expressing his determination to collaborate for the progress of this noble cause. Additionally, he also expressed his enthusiasm to Mr. Muneeb Rahmat Regional Coordinator, PTGD Sargodha Region to arrange screening camps twice per semester, specifically with the objective of enabling thalassemia screening for the university's maximum student population.
