Lahorites observes World Blood Doners Day by donating blood

Lahore: Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab on Health Kh. Salman Rafique has said that in order to eradicate thalassemia disease, blood test of couple prior to marriage should be carried out as many countries have overcome the problem by introducing the blood test of boys and girls before marriage. He said that safe blood transfusion is the basic right of the patients.

He said that government has started action against substandard blood banks and registration of blood banks under Blood Transfusion Authority. He said this while speaking at different functions on World Blood Donors’ Day, today.

Kh. Salman Rafique attended the function of Sundas Foundation in the Auditorium of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). He appreciated the humanitarian services of Sundas Foundation for blood collection and safe blood transfusion to the thalassemia patients. Chairman Sundas Foundation and renowned columnist Munnoo Bhai, President LCCI Ijaz A Mumtaz, Yasin Khan and a number of blood donors and thalassemia children attended the seminar.

Kh. Salman Rafique said that blood donors are rendering a great service to the humanity by donating their blood for saving the precious lives of others. He said that Punjab Thalassemia Prevention Programme presently working in 22 districts. He said that the scope of this programme would be expanded to 36 districts in the next fiscal year. He said that legislation would be carried out to enhance the punishment for the culprits involved in the business of unscreened blood transfusion and operating substandard blood banks.

Chairman Sundas Foundation Munnoo Bhai and LCCI President also addressed on the occasion and stressed the need of creating awareness at mass level to promote blood donation culture in the society.

Later, Kh. Salman Rafique attended the seminar at Services Hospital which was organized by Young Doctors Association in connection with World Blood Donors’ Day. Kh. Salman Rafique also donated blood on this occasion.

Parliamentary Secretary Kh. Imran Nazir, Principal SIMS Prof. Dr. Hamid Mahmood Butt, MS Dr. Umer Farooq Baloch and office-bearers of YDA also attended the seminar. He said that Chief Minister has taken revolutionary steps for health sector development. He said that development of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare and provision of special package for specialist doctors up to Rs. 1.5 lakh additional allowance and creation of thousands new vacancies for doctors are few steps which have recently been taken by the government.

Meanwhile, Kh. Salman Rafique also attended a function at Children Hospital in connection with World Blood Donors’ Day.

Dean Children Hospital Prof. Dr. Massood Sadiq, Medical Director Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Representative of German NGO GIZ Mr. Paul Cohort, doctors and nurses of the hospital attended the seminar.

The speakers stressed the need of screened and safe blood transfusion. They were of the opinion that disease prevention and blood donation culture should be promoted in the society to protect the life of patients and to check the transmission of various diseases like thalassemia, hepatitis, AIDS etc.