Pakistan’s first one-year Postgraduate Diploma Program in Thalassemia has been launched through a collaboration between Bahria University of Health Sciences Karachi, Saylani Welfare International Trust and the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority.
The two-semester programme aims to train Thalassemia professionals through academic learning at Bahria University of Health Sciences and clinical training at Saylani Blood Bank and Thalassemia Center.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Secretary of the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority Dr Durr-e-Naz Jamal stressed the need for public awareness and trained doctors and healthcare professionals to help prevent Thalassemia.
She described the diploma as a valuable initiative and said it could become a source of hope for suffering mothers and children.
Dr Jamal also said the program should gain global recognition and noted that artificial intelligence could further improve its effectiveness.
She regretted the lack of expected cooperation from NADRA Mega Centres regarding awareness about pre-marital screening.
Bahria University of Health Sciences Karachi Director General Vice Admiral Athar Mukhtar (retd) praised the efforts of the Blood Transfusion Authority and Saylani Welfare in launching the program.
In his online address, he said the initiative would grow into a major movement and called for collective efforts to protect future generations from Thalassemia.
Dean Health Sciences Prof Dr Shazia Shakoor and Principal Prof Dr Mehreen Latif briefed participants on the objectives and structure of the programme.
They said they were confident the course would produce highly skilled Thalassemia professionals within a year.
Acting DG Commodore Owais Haider also attended the ceremony.
Director Saylani Blood Bank and Thalassemia Center Dr Ghulam Sarwar highlighted the growing challenge of Thalassemia, saying around 10,000 new cases are added every year.
He thanked Bahria University and the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority for their support and said Saylani Founder and Chairman Maulana Bashir Farooq Qadri remains committed to preventing the disease.
Video messages from the heads of Hussaini Blood Bank, Muhammadi Blood Bank and Kashif Iqbal Blood Bank and Thalassemia Center were also played, with all of them appreciating the launch of the diploma programme.
The ceremony was attended by Bahria University faculty members and scholars, along with Saylani Member Managing Committee Iqbal Qasimani, Imam Ahmed Raza University of Emerging Sciences nominee Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rashid Kamal Ansari and Director Prof Dr Faisal Afridi.
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