Seminar on World Thalassemia Day at Fatima Jinnah Medical University

An awareness seminar was organized at Fatima Jinnah Medical University in collaboration with the Punjab Thalassemia and Other Genetic Disorders Diagnosis, Prevention and Research Institute (PTGD) to mark World Thalassemia Day.

The seminar aimed to raise awareness regarding the timely diagnosis, prevention, and effective control of Thalassemia and other genetic disorders. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal presided over the session, while former Vice Chancellor Prof. Shamsa Humayun graced the occasion as chief guest.

Former Principal Prof. Noreen Akmal and former Head of Pediatrics Prof. Javeria Mannan graced the occasion as Guests of Honor. The theme of the seminar was “Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen”
In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Khalid Masood Gondal paid tribute to the Government of Punjab for its pivotal role in strengthening the thalassemia prevention program. 
Director General Prof. Masooma Ghazanfar gave a detailed briefing on the Punjab Thalassemia Prevention Program. She stated that the Government of Punjab established the institute in 2009–2010 to provide comprehensive services for the diagnosis, prevention, and research of genetic disorders across all 36 districts of Punjab.

She added that nine (9) regional laboratories across the province are offering free of cost services including thalassemia blood screening, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, premarital screening, DNA testing, and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS).
Prof. Javeria Mannan shared that she feels honored to be among the founders of the thalassemia project, noting that the disease affects not only patients but entire families, causing emotional and financial burden.
Prof. Noreen Akmal delivered an informative talk on prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia, explaining that Chorionic Villus Sampling is performed in early pregnancy to detect genetic disorders in the unborn child at an early stage.