'World Thalassaemia Day' was observed here Saturday like other parts of the country as well as rest of the world under the auspices of World Health Organisation (WHO), with a renewed pledge that all out efforts will continue to be made for checking the spread of the disease.
A spokeswoman of Thalassaemia Society of Pakistan told Business Recorder that a number of health and social organisations arranged seminars, discussions and other activities all over the country, aimed at educating people about the disease and ensuring proper treatment of those suffering the problem.
According to her, thalassaemia is the main inherited disease in Pakistan and one of the basic reasons is lack of awareness about it. The Day is observed every year with the objective to create realisation among the governments and societies for playing their due role for the proper management of patients facing the disease.
Speakers at various functions pointed out that there are over seven million people affected by virus of thalassaemia. There are over 10 thousand registered patients of thalassaemia in Punjab only, while every year 3-4 thousand new patients are being registered across the country. They urged the government to bring a law for curbing the unchecked rise of the disease in Pakistan, as the proposed legislation would go a long way in avoidance of marriages between two thalassaemia carriers. Nevertheless, marriage between thalassaemia carriers is giving rise to the birth of 'Thalassaemic Children', they said.
A function was also held at Children Complex in which speakers apprised the participants about the disease, which is a hereditary disorder of the blood-causing anaemia, sometimes fatal in children. Usually two normal parents that both have a Thalassaemia trait will pass on this disorder to their children, not knowing that they were both carriers of the Thalassaemia trait.
With two Thalassaemia traits get together a child will inherit this blood disorder.
People facing with Thalassaemia major may experience the paleness, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, jaundice and spleen enlargement.
Already a number of non-governmental organisation and social welfare organisations are working in different parts of the country to help the thalassaemia patients.
It may be mentioned that the Government of Pakistan had acquired text of model legislation from Cyprus, Iran, Maldives, in order to formulate legislation in checking the disease of thalassaemia. However, no legislation could be made so far.
According to experts of the disease, people with Thalassaemia trait also have slightly more haemoglobin called haemoglobin A2 in their blood.
Thalassaemia trait is present at birth, it remains the same for life, and it can be handed down from parents to children. Thalassaemia major is a very serious blood disease that begins in early childhood. Children with thalassaemia major are normal at birth but become anaemic between the age of three months and eighteen months.
They become pale, do not sleep well, don't want to eat, and may vomit frequently after feedings. If Thalassaemia major goes untreated, children usually die between one and eight years of age.
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