Eradication of Thalassemia: Emin Erdogan praised for her offer of assistance

CSR Activist for Thalassemia Eradication from Pakistan, Ateeq Ur Rehman has said that almost whole world has got rid of Thalassemia fatal disease from their countries whereas it is so sad that the number in Pakistan is growing day by day.

He expressed grateful to Turkish First Lady Emin Erdogan for her statement to offer Turkish assistance for eradication of Thalassemia from Pakistan, during her recent visit to Pakistan, he said her concern and fear for the growing number Thalassemic patients on daily basis in Pakistan is greatly appreciable and a matter of great gesture of help by the brotherly country Turkey to Pakistan.

He said that after Japan's grass root level assistance, Turkey is the second country which has realized the gravity of the situation and have had come forward as another country to offer help for eradication of Thalassemia. He said countries like Indonesia and Thailand are already helping on blood donation drives for deprived Thalassemic patients.

Talking to the newsmen, he said that the risk of disease is increasing among low income families. Thus, such ongoing health challenges and findings are raising alarm for country having limited resources there is a great need of understanding, cooperation and support by corporate world and their CSR for Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in promoting the endeavors for the awareness and prevention of Thalassemia.

He said that Pakistan being a very poor country and below poverty line cannot take an extra burden of such fatal disease where 88% of Pakistanis are common men other than 12 % elite or rich. Under the circumstances sustaining the life of a Thalassemic major is not only cumbersome but difficult and expensive also. Elites can afford it but common man cannot.