Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Activist on Thalassemia Eradication from Pakistan, Ateeq Ur Rehman has urged the Chief Minster Sindh Murad Ali Shah and Health Minister, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho to include registration Thalassemic patients in the health insurance scheme. He pointed out that Sindh government has decided to introduce a health insurance scheme in the province in the coming weeks.
He said that huge amount is required for screening the nation for Thalassemia; therefore a big public private partnership is needed. He emphasized that within 2 to 3 years and by all means, Pakistan must get rid from the destruction of deadly disease Thalassemia.
He stressed that due to lack of awareness and prevention programs the threat of Thalassemia is rising in Pakistan as continuously both would be husband and would be wife having Thalassemic genes are marrying to each other. We have to go out of our way to save the country from this "Thal Explosion", which is massive but unfortunately not adequately addressed. He said we must take all possible measures to stop "Thalassemic Majors" spreading. Pakistan must be Thalassemia free as soon as possible, he added.
Philanthropist, donors , corporate world , public enterprises realizing the importance of Thalassemic counseling, screening, etc must come forward for it and generously open their CSR Funds for the cause, specially at Educational Institute and for those who are not married , yet .
He urged President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan that PM's National Health Program (PMNHP) should allocate funds for Thalassemia awareness and screening. He said as per legislation Thalassemia screening is mandatory but unfortunately have not been enforced yet.
He appreciated statement of Punjab Health Minister "Dr Yasmeen Rashid who announced at National Thalassemia Conference at Lahore to present "Prevention of Thalassemia Bill" in Punjab Assembly, soon. Ateeq also appreciated the role of Pharmaceutical Industry of Pakistan for their support and cooperation to the Thalassemia cause and sincerely requested them being the pharmaceutical and health care providing companies to take on priority 2019 as the year for CSR initiatives encompassing awareness/ screening of Thal at Educational Institutes and at other Social Welfare places.
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