Thalassemia Awareness Day is being observed today across the world, including Pakistan. It is a hereditary disease that is passed on to children due to genetic defects in parents.
Patients suffering from thalassemia are born with an inability to produce blood naturally in their bodies. One of the major causes of the disease is marriages within families. Innocent children affected by this disease have the desire to live, but their lives remain dependent on blood transfusions drop by drop, while the blood flowing through their veins keeps them alive.
Statistics show that 5 out of every 100 children in Pakistan are affected by this deadly disease. According to a cautious estimate, more than 100,000 children across the country are fighting this serious illness.
Medical experts say that to prevent this disease, thalassemia tests should be made mandatory before marriage so that every child born into this world can remain protected from this deadly disease.
Genetically, there are two major types of thalassemia called alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Based on severity, thalassemia has three forms. The most severe form is called thalassemia major, the least severe form is thalassemia minor, while the moderate form is known as thalassemia intermedia.
Under the auspices of the World Health Organization, Thalassemia Awareness Day is observed every year at the beginning of May. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to raise awareness among people about this disease.
