This is not the first time we’ve faced a major crisis and forgotten about the ones we already had. Thalassemia patients are facing a shortage of blood. We should realize the grave situation and try our best to help these poor children out.
Pakistan is facing many issues, from coronavirus to economical crisis, but we’re trying our best to deal with the situation. Amid the situation, people are saying war is about to start, yet we are not paying attention to the more important issues.
Thalassemia patients need blood donations and we urge the people reading this article to go out and donate as much blood as they can.
However, due to the current conditions and lockdown in Pakistan, it is hard for people to go and donate blood. The curfew which was set to start at 8 pm has now been cut down to 5 pm. Hence, making it harder for people to do social service.
There are several donation centers in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. People can visit these centers and make their donations in the name of Thalassemia patients. Moreover, it is the government’s responsibility to make sure these children and ill people get sufficient blood.
The number of Thalassemia Patients Cross 2.5 million!
Every year 6000 children fall prey to Thalassemia, making the altogether count 2.5 million this year. Doctors have accused the government of not being able to manage the crisis. These patients have to face blood fusion every month, and stats haven’t changed since 2016. Dr. Rahat Hussain, a hematologist stated that every month 150,000 to 200,000 bags of blood are required for the patients of Thalassemia.
Doctors claim that there are thousands of children who need a blood transfusion every month but are unable to get it. The blood level of children has dropped from 10-12 to 2.5, which is a very alarming situation.
It is heart-wrecking to see Pakistan in such conditions, after the outbreak of coronavirus, and KPK receiving hundreds of cases of Polio; we are still not sure where we stand.
Last month, officials recorded 13 new cases of Polio in February; which is the highest record in a day.
However, it is important to understand what these children are going through. We know that it is essential to save our families from coronavirus and we should practice social distancing. All doctors are urging us to do is to donate blood for the children who will face their inevitable fate if we don’t.
There are rumors that the government is taking measures to collect blood donations. Nonetheless, they will ensure they’ve collected enough blood by providing door-to-door services.