KARACHI: A thalassaemia major girl from Sindh’s remote district Jacobabad with rare ‘A negative’ blood group underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in Karachi on Friday after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sanctioned funds. Transplant of six-year old Khadija Qadeer was performed at National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD). The survival chances of this child are 70 percent, said Dr Saqib Ansari, a haematologist at NIBD. Khadija was diagnosed thalassaemia when she was seven months old and later on medics recommended bone marrow transplant for her. Earlier this year, PM Nawaz Sharif sanctioned Rs. 2.830 million for bone marrow transplant of Kahdija on humanitarian grounds. The main cure available today for Thalassemia is Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) from compatible donor. Thalassemia is an inheritable blood disorder and can transmit this gene to children through their parents. However through premarital test in which couples that are going to get married are tested for genetic, infectious and blood transmitted diseases to prevent any risk of transmitting any disease to their children. But both parents of Khadija did not go for pre-marital screening. “Due to lack of awareness most of the population, like this couple, is unaware of the disease and the prevention,” said Dr Ansari. Khadija’s mother, who is also donor for her daughter, thanked PM for his financial support. “I am very thankful to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who approved a hefty amount for Khadija’s medical expenses. But I would also appeal him to solve my residential problem,” she said. “Post transplant treatment would require me to stay in Karachi but I don’t have place to live here besides that I am very poor to afford.” Published in Daily Times, June 24th, 2017.