Thalassemia, how we can help...

Category: Health/Fitness
Written by: Atif Abdul-Rahman Shaikh (on February 18, 2008 - 07:21 PM)

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Philanthropy, I believe can make a change, even if it be negligible. For cynics it might be a shady business but for the unprivileged and deprived for whom governments and bureaucracies can offer only shallow promises, NGOs and public services powered by philanthropists is the only option. Or simply because governments of developing worlds are under already so much preasure to deal with other so-called bigger issues that such matters as health are often deprioritized.

Thalessemia is a painful and persistent disease and is most pervasive in the subcontinent, including Pakistan. There are some notable philansthropist activities in the health sector in Pakistan, for Thalassemia, a friend of mine documents of one such effort, the Kashif Iqbal Thalassemia Canter which offers free patient care and treatment.

According to him, Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Care Center is one of a facility in the country where Thalassaemia patients are treated free of cost. This trust came into being when the 16-year old boy of Mr. Iqbal died from this dreadful, genetic disease. Today, he along with his highly dedicated family and staff members work day and night to save children from dying. And they don't ask for donations. People, rich and poor, pour their bank accounts and their sympathy to this organization.

Today, with 18 branches across Pakistan, this trust serves countless children and adults by educating them on this disease, its prevention, and providing free testing facility to all who want to know whether they are a Thalassaemia minor or not. Two Thalassaemia minors must not marry. If they do, the chances are that 1 in 4 children born will be a Thalassaemia major. And that's a life-time of a problem.

For further details contact:

Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Care Center (KITCC)
Becham Road, Laiqabad, Landhi,
Karachi - 75120

(+92-21)-8232414
(+92-21)-4515600
(+92-21)-5021188 (Fax)

kitcc@gem.net.pk
http://kashifiqbal.com/

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