Pakistan has launched its first mobile van dedicated to thalassemia to provide accessible screening and care for patients suffering from the genetic blood disorder.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the rising number of thalassemia cases in Pakistan is alarming. He stated that negligence by both the government and society has led to the continued birth of children with the disease.
The minister said that premarital testing should be made mandatory, at least for men. He explained that when two carriers marry, there is a high risk of a child being born with thalassemia major, a severe form of the disorder.
He further said that blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants are the main treatments for thalassemia. However, finding a suitable bone marrow donor remains difficult, as only one out of 50,000 people is likely to be a match.
Mustafa Kamal added that the government has removed the requirement for prior approval before bone marrow transplants to ensure timely treatment. He said efforts are also underway to make thalassemia testing compulsory before marriage.
Addressing broader public health issues, the minister referred to challenges faced during vaccination campaigns, including polio, where vaccines are often portrayed as foreign conspiracies.
He stressed that the responsibility for protecting children, including those affected by thalassemia, ultimately lies with their parents.