‘Many Thalessimia patients die due to lack of blood donation culture’

[Naveed Yaseen]

Hundreds of Thalessimia patients in Pakistan die every year due to the lack of a blood donation culture, said Dr Tahir Shamsi, Consultant Hematologist at National Institute of Blood Disease and Bone Marrow Transplantation (NIBD).

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Shamsi said that approximately 1.4 million bottles of blood are needed to cater to Thalessimia patients that make 0.8 million of the country’s population while only 1.6 million bottles in laboratories across Pakistan are available. “Given this, the culture of donating blood shall be promoted in the country,” she said.

Dr Shamsi said that blood disease especially Thalessimia and hemophilia were on the rise in Pakistan at an alarming rate. He stressed the need on creating awareness about blood donation and treatment opportunities for patients to control the disease.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=169227