What is thalassemia?

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder and can be simply stated as the inability of the body to produce adequate amount of Hemoglobin in the red blood cells. The result is severe anemia.Children suffering from this blood disorder require a blood transfusion every month of their lives in addition to treatment for iron overload due to the excessive number of transfusions. Aims & Objectives Create Awareness through Genetic Counseling, International Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Brochures, Leaflets, Posters, Lectures to target audiences at college level and also involving the Print and Electronic Media to create awareness about this cause. Prevention is better than cure which is why the society screens the carriers by simple blood test and also offers the facility of Prenatal diagnosis to the pregnant mother determine whether the baby is Thalassaemic or Normal. The Society is a pioneer in this field and was the first to carry out Prenatal Diagnosis for Thalassaemia in Pakistan. One of the principal Goals of the Society is the treatment of Thalassaemic children The Society has established a Thalassaemia Center in Peadiatric Department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore where Thalassaemic children are given the following treatments free of cost: The body of a Thalassaemic cannot produce red blood cells, which means a blood transfusion is required every 3-4 weeks. The Society collects, screens and transfuses blood to patients coming to the Thalassaemia Center. Due to repeated blood transfusions iron gets accumulated in the body. This excess iron must be removed from the body. The Thalassaemia center does this by using 'Desferal' injection given through a chelation pump. Each injection is administered in 8 hours and must be given 20 days a month. These patients are also given treatment for other Thalassaemia related complications such as splenectomy, infections, reactions, etc. Thalassaemia is a disease, which not only effects the patient but also leaves a devastating psycho-social effect on the family of the patient. The society also organises a Patient Support Group to help the families of patients pull through this traumatic experience.