KARACHI – “There are three million minor cases of thalassemia in Sindh, almost 6 percent of the total population. In Pakistan every year 0.1 million children are born with thalassemia. Around 80 percent of the population is unaware of the disease, and 85 percent of major patients of thalassemia need regular blood transfusions. Out of them, 80 percent of the thalassemia patients die due to iron overload, hepatitis C and other complications,” said Baqai Medical University Principal Prof Moinuddin while delivering an awareness lecture at the Dow University of Health Sciences on Monday. The Institute of Haematology, Dow University of Health Sciences marked World Thalassemia Day by organising the Dow Thalassemia Assistance Programme (Dow-TAP). Prof Moinuddin said that thalassemia, a hereditary anaemia of varying severity commonest inherited disorders in Pakistan, was effecting both males and females. “Thalassemia major is a full blown disease requiring blood transfusion twice monthly. This disease ruins the life of Thalassemia patients and well as the whole family,” he said. “Thalassemia minor disease does not cause harm and people can lead normal life, however the marriage of two thalassemia minor patients have 25 percent risk of having a child with Thalasmenia major. Therefore, thalassemia minor patients should not marry each other. Hence, every individual should have their thalassemia status checked by a simple blood test any time from birth till before marriages at least once,” he said and stressed the need for creating awareness about thalassemia major disease. Prof Dr Rana Qamar Masood, Director Quality Assurance & NILGID DUHS, stressed on the need to create awareness by sensitising the masses in order to reduce the burden of the Thalassemia major disease. She said awareness was the main focus required for the prevention of the disease and the need of blood screening before marriages. She further said the Dow University had been striving hard since its establishment to work for the betterment of the community healthcare, besides having academic excellence and human resource development. She also appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee for organizing screening program and awareness lecture. Prof Nighat Nisar, Acting Principal of Sindh Medical College DUHS, appreciated the efforts of the Institute of Haematology, DUHS for organizing the Screening Camp at Sindh Medical College. She further said that it is all about unity, knowledge and equality which lead to success of any programme.Earlier, Prof Dr Akber Aga, Director Institute of Haematology, DUHS, also spoke on the occasion and gave brief introduction about the Institute of Haematology and establishment of its Thalasmenia Awareness Program – Dow TAP and mentioned that the screening program will continue for three days at SMC followed by further 3 day at Dow Medical College, Dow International Medical College and the similarly in other colleges and universities of Pakistan to have eventually massive screening and awareness of the general public.