Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in his message on World Thalassemia Day said that thalassemia was a fatal disease and the patients suffering from this disease need regular blood transfusions. He said thalassemia was a very painful problem for the innocent children and thalassemia patients deserve special attention of society. The purpose to celebrate World Thalassemia Day was to create awareness among the masses to prevent further spread of this disease. Preventive measures were essential and there was need for effective awareness campaign to prevent from this disease, he added.
In order to defeat thalassemia, continued efforts were required to take effective steps for the provision of the best medical facilities to thalassemia patients. He said diagnosis of thalassemia and provision of modern and quality medical facilities was included in our priorities consequently we had to take immediate and effective measures to defeat this fatal disease. He said the government would take every possible step for the protection of children against thalassemia. "Today we have to pledge that efforts to make Pakistan a Thalassemia-free country will be continued", he said.