Thalassemia in Pakistan: Emerging Health Threat
Ali Iram
Student
Thalassemia in Pakistan: An Emerging Health Threat
Thalassemia refers to a genetic disorder that disrupts the production of hemoglobin, that protein which transports oxygen in red cells. People affected with thalassemia have fewer healthy red cells, and a litany of medical problems ranging from anemia to lethargy are the consequences. It is a disease transmitted to offspring by parents through genes, and it ranks as one of the most widespread inherited diseases throughout the world.
Thalassemia has been a serious public health concern in Pakistan. About 100,000 children are found to have been affected by Thalassemia Major, the severe form of the disease, and around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Principal reasons for a larger number of cases include reduced awareness and the practice of consanguineous (cousin) marriages, which gives a larger probability that both parents carry the impaired gene.
There are two types of thalassemia Alpha Thalassemia and Beta Thalassemia, which are more prevalent in Pakistan. Children who are born with Thalassemia Major will typically have to have transfusions every few weeks to remain healthy. Unfortunately, too much iron builds up in the bloodstream from transfusions, and it has to be chelated out to avoid heart and liver and other important patient organs being damaged. In certain cases, a person can have a bone marrow transplant and have it be a cure, but it costs a lot and is not widely available to most families. There are various NGOs and organizations in Pakistan, like the Fatimid Foundation, Hussaini Blood Bank, and Indus Hospital, which are ensuring free transfusions, counseling, and awareness programs for affected families. But awareness programs and screening before marriage are still crucial. Carriers can be identified if screening before marriage is done, and fresh cases can be avoided. Education has a very crucial role to play in the control of this condition. Schools, societies, and media have to join forces to disseminate information regarding the causes, preventions, and control of thalassemia.
