Karachi : Patients suffering from the fatal bleeding disease hemophilia want the attention of government institutions and society. The President of the World Federation of Hemophilia, Mr. Cesar Guerredo, who is visiting Pakistan, has said that WFH is using its best capabilities to fight this disease in 147 countries of the world, including Pakistan. About 62 million IUs doses have been given so far under humanitarian aid in Pakistan. Majority of patients here are not registered. Patients should be found and registered, after which the Federation will work to further increase this humanitarian assistance.
He was addressing a seminar organized by Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi on the topic of “Partners Solidarity with Hemophilia” at a local hotel in Karachi. He informed in detail about the aims, objectives and activities of WFH. He said that more support is needed at the government and private level for these patients who are fighting for their lives. Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi founder and CEO Raheel Ahmad Khan said that WFH has donated 6 million IUs of anti-hemophilia injections in Pakistan, worth around 62 billion Pakistani rupees. These are only for 4 thousand patients which is about 15% of the total patients in Pakistan.
We have more than 25000 prospective hemophilia patients and we need more such support. We are extremely grateful to the World Federation of Haemophilia for this support and urge to increase this humanitarian aid so that other patients can also get this treatment facility. He said that the Sindh Health Department had given Rs.24 million to the society only once for the treatment of six children, which needs to be increased and released permanently. Various political and social figures, professionals associated with the medical department and government officials also addressed the seminar.
Among the other speakers, the delegation included WHF Regional Manager (Middle East) Rana Safi, Philippe Andre de Morelos, Dr. Faiz Ahmed Mangi, Chief Technical Officer Health Department, Government of Sindh, Shehrish Fatima, Manager Patient Welfare Association Civil Hospital Karachi, Dr. Agha Umar Daraz Khan, Chief Pathologist, Hussaini Blood Bank, Dr. Arshin Naz, Assistant Professor Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Dr. Shabneez Hussain – Hematologist Head Blood Transfusion Services Indus Hospital, Abbas Ali Zaidi – National Member Organization NMO and President Hemophilia Foundation, Dr. Munira Burhani – Professor Haematologist, Fakhar Alam Zaidi – Founder Member and Finance Secretary and Shahid Dawood – Founder General Secretary of HWS were included. Commemorative shields were also presented to the guests on this occasion.
