Daily Times

Due to nationwide lockdown, including in Karachi, various hospitals and blood banks are facing severe shortage of blood for the children suffering from Thalassemia. According to Dr Saqib, secretary Sana Foundation, Children Hospital Karachi, “We have blood stock fall down below the red line right now, and children in thalassemia need immediate blood supply to save lives of them.” At least sixty thousands bloods are needed for monthly circulation and there are more than one lack children in Thalassemia across the country. He said ongoing pandemic Coronavirus, undoubtedly, is one of the biggest challenges of our country, for which lockdown was an urgent tool to save lives. He said, at the same time sufficient blood supply is just as important for the children fighting against thalassemia. He requested the authorities, specially, CM Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah to take prompt action and insure for the blood shortage.

While talking to media, a doctor from the prominent hospital of the city said, continue unavailability of blood could leads to a number of deaths of children in Thalassemia. Timely blood supply can help improve life expectancy and the quality of lives of patients suffering from thalassemia and it also help to support complex medical and surgical procedures as well.

According to an estimated medical survey, Pakistan has a high burden of thalassemia and according to estimates, 5000 children are born with thalassemia each year and 70,000 patients are registered with the disease. Most services for these patients are provided by private blood transfusion services by non-governmental organizations. Over 90 per cent of total blood transfused in Pakistan is donated by the friends and relatives of patients. Around 10-20 per cent of blood supply is still donated by professional donors. Pakistan’s annual blood transfusion requirement is approximately 1.5 million bags, with the 40 per cent of the demand being met by the public sector.