Hematologists from across the country here on Tuesday launched a National Hemophilic Welfare Project to provide timely diagnosis and proper treatment to local hemophilic patients.
Experts present on the occasion said the project was also a way to offer befitting tribute to country's most senior hematologist Professor Sarwar Zubeiri (late) who died of blood borne malarial infection two years back.
It was observed with great satisfaction that cause for which the country's respectable researcher strived for her whole life was being partially met through a facility which does not only hold provision for diagnosis and treatment but also include research and training of hematologists as its integral components.
They maintained that relevance of the project could be well gauged from the fact that average life span of hemophiliacs in the country was extremely low, that too with high incidence of associated morbidity.
On the contrary survival rate and life quality of people with hemophilia in the developed world was same as any other absolutely healthy and disease free individual.
The ceremony was addressed by Executive Director, Pakistan Medical Research Council, Dr Huma Qureishi, Patron, Haemophelic Patients' Welfare Society, Lahore, Dr Shehla Tariq Sohail, Dr Tahir Shamsi of Bismillah Taqee Institute of Blood Diseases, Professor Sohail Chughtai of Lahore Institute of Blood Diseases, Dr Shahid Noor from Pakistan Hemophilia Society, Karachi, Dr Munira Shoaib and Researcher, Madam Arshi.
It was mentioned that one out of every 10,000 people in the country was hemophilia carriers and that the ailment mainly inflicted men population. The speakers observed with satisfaction that while ten to 12 years back it was difficult to think about provision for a comprehensive medical care for local hemophiliacs it was due to concerted efforts of local medical professionals and support by philanthropists that required medical assistance could now be provided to locals hemophiliacs.
Keeping in view the fact that fresh plasma along with drugs was generally preferred in Pakistan, due to comparatively low cost, but had its associated risks in form of Hepatitis, Malaria and even possibility of HIV, the speakers stressed for availability of properly screened blood and culture of voluntary blood donation.
Dr Huma Qureshi assured to take up the issue with Ministry of Health and ensure that hemophilic children are offered special concession and administered Hepatitis B vaccines even after one year of age.
Referring to the fact that treatment of Hepatitis C hold high chances of cure, particularly among children, she said that Ministry of Health can be motivated to make special arrangement for kids with Hepatitis C.