FUMC Holds Thalassemia Symposium

FUMC Holds Thalassemia Symposium
ISLAMABAD APRIL 14
Picture Caption: Lt. Gen. (R) Fahim Ahmed Khan, President Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society, Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Nasim-ul-Majeed, Principal, Foundation University Medical College (FUMC) and Dr. Parveen Akhtar during a Thalassemia Symposium organized at FUMC on Saturday.

Islamabad, April 14, 2012: Foundation University Medical College organized Thalassemia Symposium on Saturday. Lt. Gen. (R) Fahim Ahmed Khan, President Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society was the chief guest while Maj. Gen. (R) Dr. Nasim-ul-Majeed, Principal, Foundation University Medical College (FUMC) was also present on the occasion.

The purpose of the seminar was to create awareness among masses about Thalassemia. The speakers stressed the need for prevention from the disease by using blood screening therapy before marriages and awareness programmes.

Speakers highlighted overview of Thalassemia, Management of Thalassemia with emphasis on Hb-F Augmentation and BMT, Treatment of Complications/Iron Chelation Therapy, Metabolic Bone Disease in Thalassemia, Bone Marrow Transplant - Experience in AFBMT, Splenectomy in Patients of Thalassemia and Prevention of Thalassemia.

The audience was informed that the children with thalassemia need monthly blood transfusions apart from pharmacological treatment to control the iron overload. Pakistan has nearly 10 million people who are thalassemia carriers and around six thousand babies are born with thalassemia major every year.

Lieutenant General (R) Fahim Ahmed Khan said that the Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society is the pioneer in creating awareness of this disease and helped number of patients to get proper treatment. He lauded Foundation University Medical College for holding a comprehensive symposium on Thalassemia.

Speakers included Professor Dr. Parveen Akhtar, HOD Paediatrics, FUMC, FFH, Professor Dr. Joveria Mannan, President Thalassemia Society of Pakistan, Dr. Tahir Shamsi, Director Bismillah Taqi Hospital, Karachi, Dr. Adil Akhtar, Associate Professor of Paeds, FJMC, Lahore, Brig Pervaiz Ahmed, Commandant AFBMTC, Rawalpindi, Dr. Farogh Zohra, Associate Professor of Surgery, FJMC, Lahore, and Maj. Gen. Suhaib Ahmed, Dy. CMDT AFIP, Rawalpindi.