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Pre-marriage Thalassemia test likely to be declared mandatory in Punjab

asif1986

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http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/3...est-likely-to-be-declared-mandatory-in-punjab

30-Aug-16

MULTAN: The Punjab government is considering to make Thalassemia Test mandatory before marriage mainly with to aim to check incidence of this serious life threatening disease, official sources of Health department disclosed on Tuesday.

The Provincial Health department has prepared a draft bill laying condition of Thalassemia test for couples before they get married, said the sources, adding that it has been sent to Law department for fulfilling legal formalities. Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down genetically in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin in red blood cells that carry oxygen. The disorder leads to destruction of large number of red blood cells which leads to anemia.

The health department sources informed that after getting go ahead from provincial cabinet and standing committee, the bill would be tabled in the Punjab Assembly for approval. Punjab government is also mulling to issue a certificate to couples after the test, added the sources.

Acclaimed gynecologist and Principal Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College, Dr Samee Akhtar said that the test should be made compulsory, especially in cousin marriage cases.He added that it is a simple blood test which tells whether next generation could have the disease due to defective genes of parents.

About its kinds, Dr Samee said that Thalassemia had two types including Thalassemia major and Thalessemia trait. If one gene of both boy and girl who are going to marry were defective, their babies would suffer from Thalassemia, he informed.

The gynecologist said that with the test recommended by medical science, the disease could be preventedeasily. He regretted that most of our general public was uneducated and did not follow the suggested parametres even though they were sensitized about it. Dr Akhtrar hailed the step of Punjab government to check incidence thalassemia which kills people in early ages.
 
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http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/3...est-likely-to-be-declared-mandatory-in-punjab

30-Aug-16

MULTAN: The Punjab government is considering to make Thalassemia Test mandatory before marriage mainly with to aim to check incidence of this serious life threatening disease, official sources of Health department disclosed on Tuesday.

The Provincial Health department has prepared a draft bill laying condition of Thalassemia test for couples before they get married, said the sources, adding that it has been sent to Law department for fulfilling legal formalities. Thalassemia is a blood disorder passed down genetically in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin in red blood cells that carry oxygen. The disorder leads to destruction of large number of red blood cells which leads to anemia.

The health department sources informed that after getting go ahead from provincial cabinet and standing committee, the bill would be tabled in the Punjab Assembly for approval. Punjab government is also mulling to issue a certificate to couples after the test, added the sources.

Acclaimed gynecologist and Principal Bakhtawar Amin Medical and Dental College, Dr Samee Akhtar said that the test should be made compulsory, especially in cousin marriage cases.He added that it is a simple blood test which tells whether next generation could have the disease due to defective genes of parents.

About its kinds, Dr Samee said that Thalassemia had two types including Thalassemia major and Thalessemia trait. If one gene of both boy and girl who are going to marry were defective, their babies would suffer from Thalassemia, he informed.

The gynecologist said that with the test recommended by medical science, the disease could be preventedeasily. He regretted that most of our general public was uneducated and did not follow the suggested parametres even though they were sensitized about it. Dr Akhtrar hailed the step of Punjab government to check incidence thalassemia which kills people in early ages.

Good move

Gross encroachment on civil liberty. Only looks good on paper. This is what happens when you put uneducated reactionists in charge.

What will they do with the test results? Forbid certain couples from getting married?
 
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You are taking it negatively. I think it will provide knowledge and information and help both sides to make an informed and wise decision. Once the test results are known to the two sides and they are aware of the resulting consequences and suffering of their off-spring, they can re-consider their decision or choose to go ahead, no one is going to force anything on anyone, just empowering people with important knowledge.


Gross encroachment on civil liberty. Only looks good on paper.

What will they do with the test results? Forbid certain couples from getting married?
 
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Gross encroachment on civil liberty. Only looks good on paper. This is what happens when you put uneducated reactionists in charge.

What will they do with the test results? Forbid certain couples from getting married?
do u know what is thalassemia,,its prevalance near indus region n its consequences?
 
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A step in the right direction...

Thalassaemia mostly affects South Asian families due to inter-cousin marriages. So there is no harm in testing...

If a marriage between two cousins cannot take place then they can marry other individuals outside of the family...This shall not cause Thalassaemia in their children...
 
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This is a good idea. It is a deadly disease and screening is important to eliminate it. I have the minor trait in my genes so I will have to get any potential spouse screened.
 
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It's better to spend a few pennies on the test rather than thousands on the treatment of your children and besides money who in his right mind wants their off-soring to go through that pain and suffering knowingly?

Who will bear the cost of tests?
 
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A step in the right direction...

Thalassaemia mostly affects South Asian families due to inter-cousin marriages. So there is no harm in testing...

If a marriage between two cousins cannot take place then they can marry other individuals outside of the family...This shall not cause Thalassaemia in their children...

Not south Asian ,only North Indian and Pakistani in South Asia.....the prevalence is very low in south india
 
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I saw a few cases in South India. Better to prevent than to have a miserable quality of life.
 
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The intention is indeed good but now government hospitals will hand over fake reports to the couples without ever testing for thalassemia.

Our uneducated public will not bother to undergo the test but rather bribe the hospital staff to hand them over a fake report.
 
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That may help the next generation to make these kinds of diseases an old story.
 
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