Omair Sana Foundation (OSF) has urged the government to establish a "Thalassaemia Registry" to collect the actual statistic of thalassaemia patients and accordingly arrangements of their treatment. Addressing a press conference at OSF head office Tuesday, OSF President Dr Kashif Hussain Ansari said there is need to set up a state of art "Thalassaemia Management and Prevention Center" in Pakistan to ensure smooth supply of blood to over 100 children per day.
On the occasion, OSF Secretary Dr Saqib Hussain Ansari, Roman Rais (cricketer), OSF Joint Secretary Obaid Hashmi and others were also present. Dr Kashif said that OSF has also decided to launch a week-long campaign from May 1 to May 8 to create awareness among the masses about the thalassaemia preventive measures. Under this campaign seminars and workshops will be arranged in universities and colleges, he added.
The President OSF said due to lack of knowledge and awareness, every year some 6,000 child are born with thalassaemia in Pakistan. "We can control thalassaemia by blood screening and tests." Dr Kashif said during the thalassaemia awareness campaign, we will light up lamps at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on May 7, while a awareness walk will be held on May 8 at Karachi Medical and Dental College.
"Some 0.1 million thalassaemia children need about 1.8 million blood bottles every year and the demand will surge to 3 million by 2025 if preventive measures are not taken," he added. Kashif Ansari also offered Sindh Health Department free of cost training for thalassaemia screening and demanded that imported medicine for thalassaemia patients should be declared "orphan drugs" for smooth supply of medicines at economical rates.
On the occasion, Roman Rais called for thalassaemia test before marriage. Pakistani cricket players are thalassaemia brand ambassadors and supporting OSF in creating awareness among the masses, he added.
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