An awareness session was organized in collaboration with the University of Gwadar and the HOPE Foundation on Friday 8th November 2024 at the main seminar hall, focusing on the rising cases of thalassemia and ways to prevent it. The session was graced by Dr. Abdul Shakoor, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gwadar, as the chief guest. Other attendees included Farooq Haider, Director of Student Affairs, Younus Hussain, founding member of HOPE Foundation, Anwar Isa, President of HOPE Foundation, Ismail Umar, General Secretary of Gwadar Press Club, as well as students and individuals from various sectors, including children affected by thalassemia.

Lecturer Shelly Anwar, representing the HOPE Foundation, provided detailed insights into the different types of thalassemia and its spread. She highlighted that 5 to 6 percent of people in Balochistan are affected by thalassemia major, emphasizing the critical need for timely screening tests to control this disease.

She further mentioned the rising cases of thalassemia in Makran, attributing this trend to a lack of screening tests. Shelly Anwar urged young people to come forward in the fight against thalassemia and play their role in preventing the disease. She emphasized the need for immediate action, as the condition of affected children’s parents present in the session highlighted the urgency of preventive measures.

The chief guest, Dr. Abdul Shakoor, expressed his concerns over the alarming number of 230 thalassemia patients in Gwadar, calling it a dangerous situation. He stressed that community-level efforts are essential to control this growing number and commended the collaboration between the University of Gwadar and the HOPE Foundation as a positive step in this direction.

Younus Hussain, the founder of the HOPE Foundation, shared that the foundation started with only 25 thalassemia patients in 2009, and the number has since grown. He noted that the HOPE Foundation is working to provide medicines and blood for thalassemia patients to improve their quality of life.

The purpose of this session was to raise awareness about thalassemia and plan preventive measures to ensure a healthy and safe future for the youth of Balochistan.

In conclusion, Anwar Isa, President of the HOPE Foundation, expressed gratitude to the district administration, the University of Gwadar, and the participants.