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A pre-marriage test is a must to prevent thalassemia says, Dr. Shahzad Akbar
With the title “Every day is Thalassemia Day” Medical Teaching Institute-Hayatabad Medical
Complex (MTI-HMC) Peshawar celebrated the day for thalassemia patients here on Wednesday at
Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Peshawar. The event was attended by the Medical Director
HMC Dr. Shahzad Akbar, Director Nursing Mr. Awal Khan, Head of Pathology Department HMC
Professor Dr. Shahtaj Khan, Chairman Diagnostic Pathology Dr. Khalid Khan, and Principal Ms.
Shandana Ali Khan and students of Khaldunia High School Islamabad, thalassemia patients and other
staff members of HMC joined the event.
On the occasion Medical Director HMC Dr. Sahahzad Akbar said that the event was intended to
encourage those who struggle to live with the disease and this reminds us of how dangerous and
fatal this disease is. According to Akbar HMC is the only public sector hospital providing free medical
facilities to thalassemia patients, were diagnostic, medication, blood transfusion and minor surgeries
are offered free of cost. “The management of the hospital always tries to provide maximum support
to these patients not only in Peshawar but also in far-flung districts as well,” he said. He emphasized
on youth to have pre-marriage screening to get rid of this fatal disease.
Professor Dr. Shahtaj Khan while talking on the occasion shared that more than 1700 patients are
registered at HMC and getting their treatment as per the requirement. She praised the support of
the management and appreciated the professionalism of the staff of the Haematology Department.
She desired to have a bone marrow transplant registered on the Sehat Sahulat Program as this is the
ultimate treatment of the disease. “Prevention programs for Thalassemia could also help the health
sector to reduce the number of these patients, we are planning to implement the program in the
near future” she added.
In the end, students of Khaldunia High School Islamabad presented gifts to Thalassemia patients and
marked the day as Thalassemia Family Day.
