ISLAMABAD: World Thalassemia Day is being observed on Thursday (May 8) across the world including Pakistan to spread awareness about the genetic disease.
The theme for this year is “Economic Recession: Observe–Joint Forces–Safeguard Health”.
Thalassemia is a hereditary disease of the blood caused by genetic defects in the patient’s body which result in production of an abnormal form of haemoglobin, thus causing anaemia.
It is a genetic blood disorder in which children cannot make enough Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and needs to be supplemented with RBC transfusions every 2-3 weeks to stay healthy and to survive.
It is actually a group of inherited diseases of the blood that affect a person’s ability to produce haemoglobin, resulting in anaemia. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body. About 100,000 babies worldwide are born with severe forms of thalassemia each year.
