People belonging to different walks of life including lawyers, journalists, human rights activists and medical experts demanded of the authorities concerned to take measures for implementation of Thalassaemia Prevention Act 2014.
They made this demand at a seminar organised by Omair Sana Foundation at Arts Council-Pakistan with the theme "Thalassaemia Prevention Bill-2014---how to implement?
The seminar was presided over by former justice Wajihuddin Ahmed while General Secretary Omair Sana Foundation Dr Saqib Ansari, Deputy Commissioner Central Dr Saif-ur-Rehman, eminent social worker Ansar Burney, Principal Hamdard Medical University Professor Dr Furquan, Dr Tahir Shamsi, General Secretary Karachi Press Club A. H. Khanzada and others attended the seminar.
Speaking at the occasion, the speakers demanded of the authorities concerned to make the Thalassaemia test mandatory and introduce a specific column in CNIC, Nikkah Nama and Form-B in this regard.
They further demanded setting up of centralised Blood Bank System for ensuring supply of fresh bold for the patients of Thalassaemia.
Addressing the seminar, Wajihuddin Ahmed regretted that the bills were approved by the assemblies, but not implemented accordingly. Wajihuddin further said that threadbare deliberations should be held before approving any bill, adding that Thalassaemia Test should be made mandatory for issuance of CNIC.
Dr Saqib Ansari while addressing the seminar said that the" Thalassaemia Prevention Bill-2014" had been approved but not being implemented after the passage of one year.
"According to a survey, 10 million people are suffered from Thalassaemia Minor and 80 thousand people are suffered from Thalassaemia Major in a year", he asserted. Speaking at the seminar, Ansar Burney said that the government should take measures in order to make the Thalassaemia Test mandatory before marriage.