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One Day Awareness Symposium on Blood Donation and Thalassemia
One Day Awareness Symposium on Blood Donation and Thalassemia


The event was organized by the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in collaboration with Citi Lab and Research Centre, Lahore. Dr. Saba Riaz and Dr. Shabana (Assistant Professor, MMG, PU) are the Focal persons of the event. The purpose of the event was to aware graduate and post graduate university students regarding the importance of blood donation and awareness on thalassemia which is inherited blood disorder. In this disease there is malfunctioned production of hemoglobin in red blood cells due to which their oxygen carrying capacity reduces and a person gets anemic. It requires blood transfusion once a week and special attention and care. Its prevalence in Pakistan according to an estimate is 5000-9000 children per year with β-thalassemia. Blood donation can save many lives as the donated blood is used for many purposes. Through this event important information was conveyed and motivation was given by the speakers to donate blood and share life. For the interest of students, poster competition was held among students and the awareness documentary was also played. So the slogan for the event was:
Be There For Someone. Give blood. Share life.
The ceremony was commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran by Hina Tabassum. Inauguration speech was given by Prof. Dr. Anjum Nasim Sabri in which she welcomed the honorable speakers and participants. She also gave her opinion regarding blood donation and thalassemia. Later on, Dr. Yasmeen Ehsan (Project Coordinator, Punjab Thalassaemia  Prevention  Program ) gave an informative lecture on thalassemia in which she conveyed detailed information regarding thalassemia and its prevention. After this informative session, Dr. Saima Farhan (Consultant, Hematologist Children Hospital, Lahore) also shared her views and information regarding thalassemia and how to deal with such patients. A short documentary based on blood donation importance and thalassemia was played in the video session which was made by Maham Akram (MSc Scholar). In last Mrs. Uzma Irfan (Lecturer, Women University Multan) enlightened the importance of blood donation through her informative lecture in which she described several parameters required for blood donation. To enhance the interest of students, poster competition was also held .In last, the gifts of token were presented to Dr. Yasmeen Ehsan, Dr. Saima Farhan and Mrs. Uzma Irfan and prizes were given to the winners of the competition and to the documentary maker.