DLP Report
\nPESHAWAR
\nKhyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar in collaboration with Dosti Foundation organised a seminar on the critical topic of genetic disorders.
\nThe event brought together medical experts, faculty members, and a large number of students, highlighting the growing need for awareness and preventive measures against genetic disorders, especially in societies where cousin marriages are prevalent.
\nSpecial Secretary Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah, who addressed the seminar, emphasized that cousin marriages remain a strong but outdated tradition in tribal and semi-tribal communities, contributing to the prevalence of genetic disorders.
\nHe highlighted the significant challenge of changing this deep-rooted cultural practice but stressed the need for all state institutions to work together to create a healthier society by curbing this tradition.
\n\u201cWe must focus more on disease prevention than treatment, and that starts with education. Genetic disorders need to be incorporated into school curricula to create early awareness,\u201d he said. The Special Secretary further added that the Health Department is already taking steps to tackle the challenges posed by genetic disorders and assured that the seminar\u2019s recommendations would be shared with relevant stakeholders for approval.
\nAddressing the audience, KMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq emphasized that KMU, in collaboration with Dosti Foundation and other organizations, has been continuously advocating for medical and social awareness about genetic disorders for several years. He noted that these efforts have yielded positive results, with the provincial government enacting legislation and public awareness gradually increasing.
\nProf. Dr. Zia Ul Haq and other experts stressed that cousin marriages are a leading cause of genetic disorders, significantly increasing the risk of conditions like thalassemia in children. They called for a shift in societal attitudes and a greater focus on pre-marriage screening, which can help identify potential genetic risks even during early pregnancy stages.
\n\u201cAn interdisciplinary approach is required to combat genetic disorders. Laws exist, but they must be implemented effectively. Pre-marriage tests and public awareness campaigns are essential steps toward addressing this issue,\u201d Dr. Zia remarked.
\nExperts at the seminar emphasized the importance of education and awareness campaigns to prevent genetic disorders, urging the media and religious scholars to play a proactive role in spreading the message. They stressed that addressing these issues is not only a matter of healthcare but also a social responsibility. The seminar concluded with a call to action, urging participants to serve as ambassadors of this critical message, spreading awareness and helping build a healthier future for society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DLP Report PESHAWAR Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar in collaboration with Dosti Foundation organised a seminar on the critical topic of genetic disorders. The event brought together medical experts, faculty members, and a large number of students, highlighting the growing need for awareness and preventive measures against genetic disorders, especially in societies where cousin marriages […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":434924,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-434906","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n