ISLAMABAD - Foundation University Medical College organised Thalassaemia Symposium on Saturday.
Lt Gen (Retd) Fahim Ahmed Khan, President Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society, was the chief guest while Maj Gen (Retd) Dr Nasim-ul-Majeed, Principal, Foundation University Medical College (FUMC), was also present on the occasion.
The purpose of the seminar was to create awareness among masses about thalassaemia. The speakers stressed the need for prevention from the disease by using blood screening therapy before marriages and awareness programmes.
Speakers highlighted overview of Thalassaemia, Management of Thalassaemia with emphasis on Hb-F Augmentation and BMT, Treatment of Complications/Iron Chelation Therapy, Metabolic Bone Disease in Thalassemia, Bone Marrow Transplant - Experience in AFBMT, Splenectomy in Patients of Thalassaemia and Prevention of Thalassaemia.
The audience was informed that the children with thalassaemia need monthly blood transfusions apart from pharmacological treatment to control the iron overload. Pakistan has nearly 10 million people who are thalassaemia carriers and around six thousand babies are born with thalassaemia major every year.
Lieutenant General (Retd) Fahim Ahmed Khan said that the Pakistan Thalassaemia Welfare Society is the pioneer in creating awareness of this disease and helped number of patients to get proper treatment. He lauded Foundation University Medical College for holding a comprehensive symposium on thalassaemia.
Speakers included Professor Dr. Parveen Akhtar, HOD Paediatrics, FUMC, FFH, Professor Dr Joveria Mannan, President Thalassemia Society of Pakistan, Dr Tahir Shamsi, Director Bismillah Taqi Hospital, Karachi, Dr Adil Akhtar, Associate Professor of Paeds, FJMC, Lahore, Brig Pervaiz Ahmed, Commandant AFBMTC, Rawalpindi, Dr Farogh Zohra, Associate Professor of Surgery, FJMC, Lahore, and Maj Gen Suhaib Ahmed and Dy CMDT AFIP, Rawalpindi.