QUETTA: Secretary of Health and Chairman of the Balochistan Blood Transfusion Authority, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panizai has announced that the Balochistan government has decided to make the Hb Electrophoresis Test mandatory before marriage across the province.
While talking to private news channel Geo News, Secretary of Health Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Panizai has said that the increasing number of thalassemia patients in the province is largely due to cousin marriages, which are common in the Balochistan’s tribal society. Aiming to curb spread of Thalassemia disease, provincial authorities have agreed to enforce compulsory screening to detect carriers of the genetic blood disorder before marriage.
Secretary Health further said that, if necessary, amendments will be made to the existing legislation to implement this decision effectively.
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Panizai added that laboratory facilities will be provided to ensure easy access to the Hb Electrophoresis test for the public. In addition, a public awareness campaign will be launched to educate citizens about thalassemia and the importance of screening before marriage.
