Sindh Health Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed has said his department will establish seven thalassemia centres in the province with a cost of Rs 210 million. He said while addressing an inaugural ceremony of Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Care Centre, Blood Bank and Laboratory here on Sunday.
The minister said that the centres would be established at Civil Hospital Karachi, Lyari General Hospital, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Chandka Medical College Hospital Larkana, Peoples Medical College Hospital Nawabshah, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar
Medical College Sukkur and Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas within two years. Referring to approval of resolution for blood test before marriage, he said that the provincial legislators were also well aware about the threat of the disease. "A bill in this regard will soon be tabled in Sindh Assembly for making it a law," he added.
The minister said all sections of the society should cooperate to enforce law regarding mandatory blood test before marriage. He lauded the services of different NGOs working in the field, assured co-operation to such organisations and said that their contribution had helped government a lot.