Lecture On Thalassemia Held At Islamia University Bahawalpur

Thalassemia Awareness and Prevention in Pakistan (TAPP) in collaboration with the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) organized a lecture on thalassemia awareness and prevention for the university students.

BAHAWALPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Nov, 2018 ) :Thalassemia Awareness and Prevention in Pakistan (TAPP) in collaboration with the Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) organized a lecture on thalassemia awareness and prevention for the university students.

Thalassemia (genetic disorder) is on the increase in Pakistan where lack of knowledge and ignorance continues to complex the problem. Thalassemia is a hereditary condition of blood, affecting the red blood cells that leads to their absolute or virtual deficiency in the body and ultimately makes the patient transfusion dependent for the rest of life.

Pakistan has an estimated carrier rate of 8-10 percent (around ten million people) of Thalassemia Minor whereas annually almost 6-8 thousand children are born with the deadly disease of Thalassemia Major.

Sustained survival of the affected individuals depends on regular blood transfusions on once and at times twice monthly basis; hence it is the biggest burden on our transfusion centres. Despite all this, very little is known about it to the general public and the fact that it can be prevented by proper and timely screening.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. The genes received from one's parents before birth determine whether a person will have Thalassemia. Thalassemia cannot be caught or passed on to another person. The clinical severity of Thalassemia varies tremendously depending on the exact nature of the genes that a person inherits. Diagnosis of Thalassemia trait may be suspected from an ordinary blood test Complete Blood Count (CBC) but HB Electrophoresis test is the confirmatory test to diagnose Thalassemia.

This inexpensive test can save our future generation from lifelong trauma of Thalassemia major disease.

"Usually when we say people to get themselves tested for Thalassemia trait, they seem to be attached with their traditions or ego and are scared of needles but they don't realize that the pain of single prick for Thalassemia diagnosis (HB Electrophoresis) can save their generation from the pain of thousand pricks", said Ayesha Abid, President TAPP.

As we know that the survival of Thalassemia Majors depends upon regular blood transfusions which gives normal red blood cells and corrects their anaemia for few days and the process continues throughout their life. After receiving multiple blood transfusions, iron overloaded in their body and it can damage their different organs and cause various complications.

Iron removal from the body is called chelation and it's very significant for preventing different complications. These unfortunate families are glued to the hospitals rather than enjoying the childhood of their kids. Blood, syringes and other medications become their part and parcel of life. Lifelong treatment drags them into depression and other psychological problems.

Bone marrow transplantation is a cure for severe Thalassemia but the procedure itself is quite costly and has its own associated complications. Many of the affected families cannot afford it. Considering the enormous challenges faced by these poor families, it is best to prevent this disease.