Call to discourage cousin marriages to reduce genetic disabilites risks

[Naveed Yaseen]

COUSIN marriages should be discouraged to avoid mental and physical abnormalities in children and measures should be taken for care of special children.

These views were expressed by speakers on the eve of the Mother’s Day at a workshop, organised by the Pakistan Medical Society and the Special Kids Inn.

Addressing the workshop, former Minister for Baitul Maal Ejaz Shafi said mothers of special children deserved appreciation. He said Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif was taking measures for the welfare of special children and their families.

PMS Chairman Dr Masood Sheikh said sufferings of mothers could be alleviated through proper care during pregnancy and shunning cousin marriages.

Provincial Minister Shumaila Rana said organisations like the SPI had joined hands with the government to make efforts for saving mothers’ lives. She said the provincial government would continue helping and assisting such organisations.

SPI Principal Tayaba said mothers, who make efforts to educate their children, were the real role models for society.

At the end of the workshop, special children performed a tableau to pay tributes to their mother.

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