National Thalassemia Prevention Day: Genetic test for thalassemia before marriage vital: minister

LAHORE: Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said carrier screening for thalassemia before marriage has become very important.

The minister said this while participating as a special guest in an awareness seminar held in Fatima Jinnah Medical University on National Thalassemia Prevention Day. On this occasion, FJMU Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Masood, Director of Institute of Blood Transfusion Services Prof Shabnam Bashir, DG PTDG Dr Yasmin Ehsan, Prof Jawaria, Prof Noreen Akmal, Prof Abdul Hameed, Prof Nadeem, Yasin from Sundus Foundation, Syed Adnan, Abdul Munim, faculty members and a large number of students participated. Health Minister Khawaja Salman said that carrier screening for thalassemia before marriage has become very important.

“Many institutions in Punjab are providing free treatment facilities to thalassemia patients. We are increasing the testing facilities of thalassemia in Punjab. We must screen our children before marriage to control the disease of thalassemia. Legislation is also very important to control thalassemia,” Khawaja Salman Rafique said and added that society also has to play its role in controlling thalassemia. We will make this programme as flagship programme of Chief Minister. We have to work a lot on prevention to control diseases, he said and congratulated the administration of Fatima Jinnah Medical University for organising the awareness seminar. Vice Chancellor Prof Khalid Masood said that the services of Fatima Jinnah Medical University are being appreciated all over the world.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique attended the 2nd sports medicine seminar at King Edward Medical University (KEMU) as a special guest on Tuesday. Star Olympian javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem specially attended the event.

KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Mehmood Ayaz, MS Dr Faisal Masood, Prof Khalid Jameel, Prof Imran, Dr Asad Abbas Shah, Dr Mamrez Salik, faculty members and students attended the event. Addressing the seminar, the health minister said Arshad Nadeem had made the name of Pakistan bright in the whole and he is our national hero. The minister said apart from the KEMU, we will establish the foundation of sports medicine in other medical schools and the Punjab government stands with this cause. The minister appreciated the services of Dr Asad Abbas Shah in sports medicine.