QUETTA: Administrator Karachi, Sindh government’s Spokesman and CM Advisor on Law Barrister Murtaza said Thursday that Thalassemia is a very deadly disease and it is important to follow the advice given by experts to avoid this disease.

“The increase in the number of children suffering from Thalassemia in Pakistan is very worrying. The organizations that are providing services to the children suffering from this disease are commendable, the Administrator said this while inaugurating the expansion project of Afzal Memorial Thalassemia Hospital as a special guest.

Also present on the occasion were Municipal Commissioner KMC Syed Afzal Zaidi, Head of Afzal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation Dr. Asim Qidwai, Medical Officer and Dr. Ijaz, Dr. Rehan. The administrator Karachi said that only the parents could understand the pain of children who are suffering from the disease. He institutions that provide facilities for the treatment of these children are commendable and the government and philanthropists should help them.

He said that cousin marriage is a major cause of Thalassemia in children. “If man and woman pear tested for the disease before marriage, the disease can be significantly reduced,” he added. Briefing the Administrator Karachi, Dr. Asim Qidwai said that all facilities are provided free of cost at Afzal Memorial Thalassemia Hospital.

He said that it is a 45-bed hospital where more than 40 children are being treated at the same time and children are also admitted due to the severity of the disease. Dr Qudwai said that this is the only hospital in Pakistan where ICU ward facility is available for people suffering from Thalassemia. It has been operating permanently since 2003.

The Administrator Karachi said that he would request the Sindh government to release funds for the organization on an annual basis so that it could better provide medical facilities to children with Thalassemia. Wahab visited various parts of the hospital, wards and laboratory and inquired about the well-being of the children admitted in the hospital.