KARACHI: A large number of salesmen and workers class blood donors were deferred for low hemoglobin in a recently held camp, Daily Times learnt. The camp was held during the ongoing week for Thalassaemia patients of Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Care Centre at Aaram Bagh Furniture market area. All Karachi Tajir Itehad facilitated them in holding the camp aimed to collect blood from traders. “Out of total 200 donors, only total 27 bags could be collected. About 100 donors were not eligible to give blood because of low hemoglobin,” informed Dr Erum Hasan, medical officer at camp. “Amongst the ineligible donors, the hemoglobin level was found less than 10 grams per deciliter (g/dL). The disqualifiers were habitual of eating Pan and Gutka. Chewing pan and Gutka cause less hemoglobin,” she added. The ages of the donors were between 18 to 40 years and were mostly from neighboring areas of Aarm Bagh market areas,” she added. According to the medical officer, amongst the remaining 17 disqualifiers were suspected Thalassaemia minors. “We don’t accept blood having hemoglobin level less than 12.5 g/dL. If a donor has blood with 12.5 g/dL or more hemoglobin level, it is useful for both donor and the recipient. The blood life would be more for Thalassaemia child if the blood has 12.5 g/dL or more hemoglobin level,” Dr Erum added. Hemoglobin is found in human red blood cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues throughout the body. According to redcrossblood.org, to safely donate, it must be above the minimum value required for blood donation, which is 12.5 g/dL. male donors will be required to have a minimum hemoglobin level of 13.0 g/dL. According to Muhammad Iqbal, founder of Kashif Iqbal Thalassaemia Care Centre there was shortage of volunteer blood donations for Thalassaemia major patients. “At KITCC we have around 700 Thalassaemia children which need regular blood donations. The blood donation during Ramdan and after remained very low which has created a difficult situation for us to manage the supply,” informed Iqbal . “We do sheer work to convince people for blood donations but when they arrive, situation like low hemoglobin level arises that is attributed to eating Gutka which is already under ban,” he added. “One fails to understand that why government cannot implement its own rule,” he lamented. It may be worth mentioning that Sindh Prevention and Control of Thalassemia Act, 2013 was passed by the Provincial Assembly of Sindh but government has so far failed to implement it. According to law, “The blood relatives of thalassemia patients who are going to be married shall be advised and counseled to obtain a pre-marital blood screening to ensure that they are not carrying the trait.” On the other hand, Atiq Mir, President All Karachi Tajir Itehad said it was matter of great concern to see the situation caused amongst workers by eating Pan, Chaalia and Gutka. “We do need awareness at mass level,” Mir added. Published in Daily Times, July 20th , 2017.