Rawalkot, A two-day national conference focusing on the causes, treatment, and prevention of thalassemia highlighted the critical need for comprehensive awareness and governmental action. Held at the University of Poonch Rawalkot, the event convened experts and academics to discuss strategies against this genetic disorder affecting thousands annually in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir.
According to University of Poonch Rawalkot, the conference, titled “Community in Thalassemia: Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis, and Prevention,” addressed the disease’s prevalence and the urgent need for preventive measures, such as mandatory pre-marriage testing to mitigate the risk of thalassemia major in offspring. Speakers including Deputy Commandant CMH Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Registrar Jamia Poonch Dr. Abdul Rauf, and District Health Officer Poonch Dr. Manzoor Hussain, emphasized the importance of legislative action to enforce these health checks before marriage. They also discussed the significant financial and social support required for patients’ treatment and the role of diet and potential complications from blood transfusions.
The conference called upon medical students and professionals to increase public education about thalassemia and support legislative measures ensuring compulsory health screenings for couples before marriage. It was underlined that only through widespread awareness and preventive steps could the incidence of thalassemia be effectively reduced in the region.