KARACHI: Provincial Minister for Industries and Commerce and Cooperative Department Jam Ikramullah Dharejo said on Friday that thalassemia is a deadly disease but awareness about the disease can save the lives. He said this while meeting Syed Mehdi Rizvi, Chief Executive Officer of Mohammadi Welfare Foundation at his office.

Syed Mehdi Rizvi briefed the minister about Muhammadi Thalassemia Centers. Rizvi said that there are two thalassemia centers in Karachi and one each in Multan and Jacobabad. There are 100 registered patients in Karachi and 300 in Jacobabad while Sindh government provides financial assistance to 150 thalassemia patients at Jacobabad center.

During the meeting, Dharejo expressed interest in visiting thalassemia centers and said that serving the people is a great deed. He will request the Chief Minister of Sindh to provide treatment facilities to thalassemia patients. He asked Syed Mehdi Rizvi of Mohammadi Welfare Foundation to extend the scope of his services to other areas of Sindh. The Government of Sindh will extend all possible cooperation in expanding the scope of services for thalassemia patients. Dharejo said, “There is an urgent need for awareness in rural areas about thalassemia. Raising awareness about thalassemia is a great service.”