PESHAWAR: On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, health professionals, government officials, and civil society leaders gathered in Peshawar to call for urgent and united action to prevent the spread of thalassemia, a life-threatening genetic blood disorder.

The event, hosted by Alkhidmat Hospital in Nishtarabad, featured a public awareness walk and a seminar aimed at educating people about the disease and its prevention.

Speaking at the seminar, Provincial Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif emphasized the importance of a joint effort involving the government, religious scholars, political parties, media, and civil society. “The only effective way to stop thalassemia from spreading is through awareness and prevention,” he said. “This is not just a health issue, it is a collective social responsibility.”

Barrister Saif announced that the provincial government is including thalassemia treatment in its Sehat Insaf Card program, which provides free healthcare to residents. He added that awareness campaigns through mosques, media, and community platforms are a top priority.

Alkhidmat’s provincial president, Khalid Waqas, Major General (Retired) Abid Latif, Director Alkhidmat Hajra Hamza Foundation and Alkhidmat provincial vice president, Fida Muhammad Khan also addressed the gathering. They explained that thalassemia is passed from parents to children and that there is currently no permanent cure except bone marrow transplant, which is expensive and rare.

Speakers urged enforcement of existing laws requiring couples to undergo thalassemia testing before marriage. “This law was passed during the MMA government, but it needs real enforcement to save future generations,” said Dr. Naveed Sharif, another speaker at the seminar.

According to health experts, an estimated 5,000 new thalassemia cases are reported every year in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Consanguineous marriages, especially between cousins, remain one of the major contributing factors to the spread of the disease.

Alkhidmat Foundation currently provides free blood transfusions and other medical support to over 1,300 registered thalassemia patients across Peshawar, Charsadda, Kohat, and Abbottabad. The foundation reports that many of these patients come from across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab regions.

During the event organizers presented commemorative shields to the chief guests. The awareness walk, held in front of the hospital, saw wide participation from healthcare workers, volunteers, and community members.