Equipment Support from TİKA to Pakistan in its Fight Against Thalassemia

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) provided equipment support to Pakistan in its fight against thalassemia.

40 health kits, 1000 triple blood bags and 800 iron chelation drugs were provided to the Sundas Foundation, which was established in 1998 and provides free service to patients suffering from thalassemia, hemophilia and other blood disorders throughout Pakistan.

Türkiye's Ambassador to Islamabad Mehmet Paçacı, TİKA Islamabad Coordinator Muhsin Balcı, Sundas Foundation President Aftab Hüseyin and guests attended the event held in Fatma Cinnah Park in the capital, Islamabad.

While the incidence of beta thalassemia in Pakistan varies between 5 and 8 percent, it is considered that there are over 9.8 million carriers in the country. Approximately 5,250 children are diagnosed with beta thalassemia every year, and it is estimated that the number of patients dependent on blood transfusion is approximately 100,000 in Pakistan.