Lahore, February 14, 2022 (PPI-OT):Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid said here on Wednesday that law on pre marriage thalassemia test is about to be introduced in the province. The Health Minister spoke at length as chief guest at a workshop organized by the Punjab Thalassemia and other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute at Fatima Jinnah Medical University
Present in the event were Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Dr. Amir Zaman Khan, DG Punjab Thalassemia Prevention and Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute Dr. Hussain Jaffery, MS Ganga Ram Dr. Athar, Dr. Yasmin Ihsan, Professor Javed Chaudhry and welfare organizations working on Thalassemia prevention. DG Punjab Thalassemia Prevention and Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute Dr. Hussain Jaffery elaborate the objectives of the workshop.
The Health Minister gave away shields to CSOs and welfare organizations. In her speech, the Health Minister said, “Govt of the Punjab is providing quality healthcare services to Thalassemia patients. Bill on pre marriage thalassemia test shall be passed very soon.
Punjab is providing services to patients of thalassemia and other genetic disorders. A comprehensive program is working on prevention of thalassemia and diagnostic tests facility is available in all districts. Punjab started work on thalassemia in 1994 and first pre natal test was conducted the same year. We travelled to K2 Base camp for awareness on thalassemia. Two carriers of thalassemia must avoid a marriage.
Creating awareness is no less than worship. Pre marriage diagnosis is right of all. I worked on thalassemia prevention and awareness between 2001 to 2008 dedicatedly. I dreamed of a program for thalassemia prevention in 1994.
Dr. Yasmin Ihsan and Dr. Hussain Jaffery have made great contribution towards this cause. It is important we all sat together to chalk out way forward. Pakistan Thalassemia Federation was the first organization that started work on it and collected data initially. Average age of thalassemia patient in 1994 was between 12 to 16 years. Prevention is always better than cure. In many countries thalassemia patients don’t even bear children. Everyone going from this event must create awareness among people.”
Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Amir Zaman Khan said Punjab is running world’s largest thalassemia program. DG Punjab Thalassemia and Genetic Disorder Prevention and Research Institute Hussain Jaffery thanked the Health Minister and said field officers were working in all districts for counselling and awareness. He said beds have been reserved for thalassemia patients in all hospitals.
For more information, contact:
Directorate General Public Relations,
Government of the Punjab
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-9201390-86
Website: www.punjab.gov.pk