LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab government will set up a centre of excellence for diagnosis, treatment and eradication of thalassaemia in the province.
This was disclosed by Punjab Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique while addressing a seminar at the topic of thalassaemia prevention at Fatima Jinnah Medical University here on Monday.
He said that technical assistance of experts of International Thalassaemia Federation would be sought for the centre.
He said that a think tank comprising experts would soon be set up for providing facilities to the people suffering from thalassaemia and taking steps for controlling of this disease so that a future strategy could be evolved.
Salman said that medical experts, government, all segments of the society, NGOs and media should make coordinated efforts from one platform for eradicating Thalassaemia disease.
He said that media had basic role for creating awareness regarding thalassaemia, adding that regional blood centres (RBCs) were being set up for ensuring safe blood transfusion to Thalassaemia children and other patients in the province.
He said that RBCs would soon start working at Multan and Bahawalpur whereas RBCs would be established at all divisions including Faisalabad.
He said that legislation was being made for empowering Punjab Blood Regulatory Authority for monitoring of blood banks.
Earlier, Professor Yasmin Rashid gave a briefing about the efforts being made from the platform of Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan for the children suffering from Thalassaemia and controlling this disease.
She also submitted proposals for treatment and rehabilitation of people affected due to Thalassaemia and controlling this disease effectively.
Vice Chancellor FJMU Professor Sardar Farukh Imam, Special Secretary Health Gulzar Hussain, Medical Advisor International Thalassaemia Federation Dr Michael Angastiniotis and Stave Melides, Chairperson Thalassaemia Federation of Pakistan Yasmin Rashid, Project Director Punjab Thalassaemia Prevention Programme Professor Shabnam, Member P&D Dr Shabana, Professor Nisar, Director PIBT Dr Zafar Iqbal and other experts besides Yasin Khan of Sundas Foundation, Children suffering from Thalassaemia and parents attended the seminar.
Source: APP
