TP REPORT
PESHAWAR: The number of registered thalassemia and other patients at Hamza Foundation Welfare Hospital, Peshawar, has reached 1,560, with the figure continuing to rise. An appeal has been made to the government, philanthropists, civil society, and the business community for blood donations, financial assistance, and general support to sustain services for poor and deserving patients.
A review meeting regarding medical facilities and institutional performance was held under the chairmanship of Hamza Foundation Chairman Ejaz Ali Khan, during which a detailed performance report was presented.
Speaking on the occasion, Ejaz Ali Khan said that thalassemia and hemophilia are hereditary diseases, transmitted from affected parents to children, resulting in lifelong anemia. He noted that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the absence of mandatory pre-marital thalassemia screening, coupled with cousin marriages, has contributed to the rapid increase in cases.
He explained that children suffering from thalassemia require fresh blood every 15 days, a process that is extremely painful and emotionally taxing for both patients and their families. Despite these challenges, Hamza Foundation is providing 60 to 70 blood bags daily free of cost, along with essential medicines and two meals a day to registered poor patients, using modern machinery and equipment.
Ejaz Ali Khan further shared that through 447 CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) tests, the Foundation has successfully helped prevent the further spread of the disease. He said that millions of rupees are being spent on these medical and preventive services.
However, he highlighted serious challenges faced by the Foundation, including shortages of blood bags, building rent, utility bills, and other operational expenses. He urged parliamentarians, civil society representatives, and businessmen to come forward and support the Foundation to ensure uninterrupted treatment and care for patients in need.
