I RECENTLY visited my father who was suffering from a low platelet count. I noticed many thalassaemia patients, mostly children, admitted to the local healthcare facility. One father had three children — two daughters and a son — who were all receiving treatment on the same bed. That was a tragic sight.

Although the provincial government, along with various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), has allocated special funds for thalassaemia patients, it is crucial to identify the root cause as well as early signs and symptoms of the disease so that it may be addressed at an early stage and not allowed to transfer across generations.

Thalassaemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that produce haemoglobin, which is the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. In Sindh, approximately 25,000 registered children suffer from the disease, and the actual number could be even higher. Stakeholders need to find ways to prevent this rapidly spreading disease among children in Pakistan.

Asif Nawaz
Sukkur

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2024