CM Maryam urges mass awareness drive on thalassaemia prevention, lauds humanitarian workers

• Punjab CM stresses early diagnosis and preventive screening as key tools, citing pre-marital blood testing as critical step to curb disease spread

• Says Punjab Thalassaemia Prevention Act 2025 passed for stronger safeguards as Thalassaemia screening made mandatory for students at admission stage

• Lauds Pakistan Red Crescent Society volunteers on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

 LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday stressed that public awareness regarding prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of thalassaemia was essential, while paying rich tribute to blood donors supporting children suffering from the disease and expressing solidarity with patients and their families.

In her special message on World Thalassaemia Day, the chief minister underlined that timely diagnosis and preventive measures were key to combating the disease. She said pre-marital blood screening could significantly help prevent thalassaemia, while regular blood donations could provide a “new lease of life” to affected children.

She said the Punjab government was taking “significant and revolutionary” steps for the prevention and treatment of thalassaemia.

Highlighting legislative measures, she said the “Punjab Thalassaemia Prevention Act 2025” had been passed by the Punjab Assembly to strengthen prevention mechanisms. She added that thalassaemia screening had also been made mandatory for students at the time of admission to educational institutions.

The chief minister further said that bone marrow transplant treatment for thalassaemia patients was being provided free of cost under government initiatives.

She called for a broad-based awareness campaign across society to prevent the spread of thalassaemia and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully support patients and their families.

CM salutes Red Crescent volunteers on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

In a separate message, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also paid tribute to volunteers and stakeholders associated with the humanitarian movement on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

She congratulated members of the humanitarian network across Pakistan and around the world for their selfless services, saying their contributions reflected a deep commitment to humanity.

She said this year’s theme, “United in Humanity,” promoted unity and reinforced faith in compassion, empathy, and solidarity.

The chief minister noted that organizations such as the Pakistan Red Crescent Society played a vital role during climate-related emergencies and natural disasters.

She said the government remained committed to building a strong, organized, and comprehensive system for addressing public issues, adding that practical steps were being taken to protect vulnerable segments of society.

Maryam Nawaz further said that social volunteers were playing a frontline role in humanitarian service and reiterated the resolve to continue working for a safer, stronger, and more resilient Pakistan.