INP
LAHORE
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid has said that provision of quality health facilities is responsibility of the government and right of the people for which all steps are being taken.
She was chairing a meeting held here on Friday to consider various aspects of proposed Thalassaemia Bill. The provincial Health Department has opened discussion on the proposed bill meant for prevention of this blood disease.
The meeting was attended by eminent jurists, clerics, members of civil society and other stakeholders.
According to the draft bill all males residing in Punjab shall undergo testing for their Thalassemia status before marrying.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid said, “In case the male is diagnosed as Thalassemia minor the female (would be spouse) shall also be required for screening.”
A couple having Thalassemia gene in one individual can get marry but if both spouses are Thalassemia career then they would be advised not to be knotted.
“Under the proposed bill Punjab Thalassemia Prevention Authority would be established which would ensure an effective system of genetic counselling and diagnostic facilities accessible to the people of Punjab and take such measures to encourage them to fully utilize it” said the Health Minister.
The meeting was told that a Thalassemia Registry shall be established in which all Thalassemia major patients would be registered.
Dr. Yasmin Rashid said, “Amendments in the current ‘Nikahnama’ is also proposed in the Draft Thalassemia Bill 2018.”
The draft also proposed punishment for marrying couples who fails to produce Thalassemia status certificate or falsify their status. Also fine is proposed for Nikah Khawan contravening the provisions of act.
The Health Minister stressed upon preventive measures said that many countries who adopted certain initiatives have been successful in overcoming the problem of Thalassemia. “Same measures would be introduced in Punjab to prevent next generations,” she pledged.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yasmin Rashid while delivering lecture on quality healthcare in a seminar conducted by Global Institute of Healthcare reiterated her resolve for provision of quality health facilities to all citizens.
She said that provision of quality health facilities was responsibility of the government and right of the people.
