Expert urges public to donate blood for 'Thalassemia' patients during Ramazan.

ISLAMABAD -- Health experts on Saturday urged the public to continue donating blood throughout Ramazan to help manage the blood transfusion needs of thalassemia patients.

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Aftab Hussain, Chief Administrator Sundas Foundation Islamabad, while talking to PTV News on Saturday said that thalassemia patients were dependent on regular blood transfusions to stay alive in addition to expensive therapies and other medical management.

He said thalassemia was a major healthcare challenge placing huge psychological and financial stress on the affected families and putting extra burden on the national healthcare delivery system.

'The only solution to the miseries of the thalassemia patients is a successful bone marrow transplant, which is possible only if the tissue matches", he added.

A healthy person can donate blood after every two months, he said, adding that healthy people particularly the youngsters have to donate blood on a regular basis three to four times a year.

He also demanded of the government and health sector to ensure sufficient resources and facilities to the quality and effectiveness of blood collection.

Replying to a question, he said that...