The first-ever Thalassemia Center and Blood Bank in the Sujawal district were jointly inaugurated on Tuesday. District Commissioner Sujawal, Wajid Sheikh, along with District Health Officer Dr. Hanif Ahmed Memon and Muhammad Iqbal, founder of Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Center Karachi, and Aslam Memon, officiated the inauguration ceremony.
The event, which followed the inauguration, shed light on the center’s objectives. District Health Officer Sujawal, Dr. Hanif Memon, expressed his satisfaction with achieving the establishment of the Thalassemia Center, stating it was one of his primary goals upon assuming office. He credited the collaboration with Muhammad Iqbal, a renowned philanthropist managing 28 Thalassemia Centers nationwide, for its realization. Dr. Memon extended gratitude to the civil society and donors of Sujawal district for their contributions.
Muhammad Iqbal, recipient of the Pride of Performance award and founder of Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Center Karachi, shared his personal motivation behind combating Thalassemia, citing the loss of his 16-year-old son to the disease. He emphasized the need to alleviate the burden of Thalassemia on affected individuals, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Iqbal urged affluent citizens to support the management of the Thalassemia Center and blood bank in collaboration with the district health department.
District Commissioner Sujawal, Abdul Wajid Sheikh, highlighted the importance of cooperation between local citizens and government institutions in fostering societal development. He pledged to assist the health department and donors in ensuring the smooth operation of the center.
Nisar Memon announced the formation of a committee comprising prominent citizens of Sujawal District to oversee the center’s affairs and offered further collaboration to enhance its facilities.
Dr. Haroon Memon, managing the Badin Thalassemia Center, stressed the significance of pre-marital medical examinations for youth to prevent Thalassemia transmission.
A stage play was presented to raise awareness about Thalassemia’s severity, while Dr. Ashfaque Jaffrani disclosed that 256 Thalassemia patients had been reported in Sujawal district. Plans were underway to launch a Thalassemia awareness program in remote areas of the district to combat the disease effectively.
