TIMERGARA: The Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) organised a function under its Children with Disabilities Programme (CWDP) at tehsil headquarters hospital, Talash, on Tuesday in connection with the World Down Syndrome Day.

District health officer Dr Mohammad Rahman was the chief guest at the event, which was also attended by patients registered with HHRD.

Programme officer Mohammad Bilal briefed the participants about the role of HHRD in helping the patients with Down syndrome.

Dr Akhtar Munir said that Dr John Langdon Down was the first to give information about Down syndrome, and the disorder was named after him.

He said that people with the syndrome were either been killed or abandoned because they were being considered irresponsible members of society.

Talash THQ hospital head Dr Khaistha Rahman said that chances of the baby born with Down syndrome increased with the growing age of the mother. `It increases with child bearing age of mother above 35 years,` he said.

Dr Ishfag Khatal( said that role of society was important in dealing with such patients as no genetic treatment was available.

ALLIANCE REJECTED: Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf, Lower Dir, general secretary Ali Shah Mishwani on Tuesday rejected the party leadership`s decision of alliance with Jamaat-i-Islami for PK-95 by-polls. Speaking at a press conference at Timergara Press Club, he said that PTI could get majority of votes from PK-95, which is being vacated by JI chief Sirajul Haq after his election as senator.