LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi handed a certificate of appreciation to Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority Director General Dr Dur-e-Naz for her untiring efforts in treating blood disorder patients as he emphasised the necessity of community efforts in preventing thalassemia among children. 

The president awarded the certificates during a prize distribution ceremony of the Sundas Foundation which he attended as a chief guest at the Governor’s House in Lahore. 

Sundas Foundation Director Khalid Abbas Dar, President Yaseen Khan, renowned journalists Sohail Warraich, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami and Salman Ghani also attended the event.

Addressing the ceremony, President Alvi also advocated for mandatory testing before marriage. He also said that Pakistan was facing a shortage of blood donations for thalassemia children, adding that even with extensive campaigns, this shortage could not be overcome.

Dr Alvi further said that Pakistan has 26.2 million children out of school, while our neighbouring countries India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have accomplished almost 100% enrollment rate. 

He said that Pakistan built 50,000 schools in Punjab since its inception, while the state needed an equal number of schools to educate such a large number of children. He said that Pakistan has more than 250,000  mosques, and proposed that those could be used as educational centres to address the issue.

“Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) gave status of community centres to mosques and Islam gave us golden principles for society; we all should get inspiration from Quran and Sunnah,” he said. 

The head of state said Pakistan has the fifth biggest population in the world, which has immense potential for growth and stressed the best utilisation of this workforce.

Thanking the people working for thalassemia elimination and serving humanity, he said that they are our heroes and they would stand honoured before Almighty Allah. He added that they should be given respect and recognition for their services. 

Dr Alvi lauded philanthropic individuals and organisations for their generous financial support towards the treatment of these otherwise expensive medical conditions.

Sundas Foundation President Yaseen Khan said that the foundation was a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to voluntary blood transfusion services and treatment of thalassemia, haemophilia, and other blood-related diseases for the last 26 years. 

The Sundas Foundation, through its 11 centres all over Pakistan, is providing 250-300 blood bags every day i.e. around 30,000 per annum. He emphasised the critical importance of continued support from the public, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, urging individuals to come forward for blood donation and financial assistance for the prevention and treatment of thalassemia.

The president also distributed certificates of appreciation among other individuals, organisations, and societies actively involved in free treatment and blood donation initiatives for thalassemia and haemophilia patients.