New pre-marriage law to be formally introduced: Yasmin

LAHORE: Dr Yasmin Rashid, Health Minister of Punjab, said that the law on pre-marriage thalassemia test is about to be introduced in the province. 

The Health Minister spoke at length as chief guest at a workshop organized by the Punjab Thalassemia and other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute at Fatima Jinnah Medical University. Present in the event were Prof Dr Amir Zaman Khan, Vice-Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Dr Hussain Jaffery, Director-General, Punjab Thalassemia Prevention and Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute, Dr Athar, Medical Superintendent, Ganga Ram, Dr Yasmin Ihsan, Prof Javed Chaudhry, and welfare organisations working on Thalassemia prevention. 

Dr. Hussain Jaffery elaborated on the objectives of the workshop. Dr Yasmin gave away shields to CSOs and welfare organizations. 

In her speech, Yasmin Rashid said, "Government of Punjab is providing quality healthcare services to Thalassemia patients. Bill on pre-marriage thalassemia test shall be passed very soon. Punjab is providing services to patients with thalassemia and other genetic disorders. A comprehensive program is working on the prevention of thalassemia, and diagnostic tests facility is available in all districts. Punjab started work on thalassemia in 1994, and the first prenatal test was conducted the same year. We travelled to K2 Base camp for awareness on thalassemia. Two carriers of thalassemia must avoid a marriage. Creating awareness is no less than worship. Pre-marriage diagnosis is the right of all. I worked on thalassemia prevention and awareness between 2001 to 2008 dedicatedly. I dreamed of a program for thalassemia prevention in 1994." 

Prof Amir Zaman Khan said Punjab runs the world's most extensive thalassemia program. DG Punjab Thalassemia and Genetic Disorder Prevention and Research Institute Hussain Jaffery thanked the Health Minister and said field officers worked in all districts for counselling and awareness. He said beds had been reserved for thalassemia patients in all hospitals.