ISL AMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday said eradication of thalassaemia was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders and media.

Speaking at an event, held at Pakistan National Council of Arts on World Thalassaemia Day, the minister said screening of blood by bride and groom was made mandatory before marriage in the capital territory through legislation in 2015.

`The government plans to bring other diseases such as HIV theambit of the law,` she said.

She claimed that the prime minister had established thalassaemia centres across the country.

She said Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan would also take part in the awareness campaign.

`Blood test of children for thalassaemia should also be held at school level. Moreover, the Prime Minister Heath Cards also offer treatment for the thalassaemia, she said.

There are three types of thalassaemia --minor, major and intermedia.There is no cure for thalassaemia major except for `bone marrow transplant` and the patient has to rely on regular blood transfusion as body stops making red blood cells.

Thalassaemia intermedia can turn into major any time but a patient with thalassaemia minor lives a normal life but caries its virus and can transmit the disease to his offspring.

Disease can be detected through a simple blood test.

Patient has to take medicines worth thousands of rupees andreceive blood once and sometimes twice a month.

As the treatment is costly so it is believed that only preemptive measures can control `thalassaemia which has been on the rise along with the population in Pakistan.

Moreover, steps should be taken to increase awareness of the disease.

According to estimates five per cent of general population (10 million) in Pakistan is carrying genetic disease and approximately about 5000 children are born with `thalassaemia major` every year.

A Reporter