Pakistan’s first town hall meeting on Thalassemia awareness, prevention, and management was initiated by Dr Asim Qidwai founder & CEO of Afzaal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation (AMTF) on 18th May 2022 at AMTF Main Office, Ayesha Manzil, F.B. Area, Karachi.
Event was well attended by professionals and students from Karachi University, FM105, YouTubers, Doctors from CPSP, the pharmaceutical industry, members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce, from business fraternity, media (print, electronic & social) and government officials.
The prestigious event marked the celebration of World Thalassemia Day and a two-decade old endeavour envisaged by Dr Qidwai. The Commissioner Karachi, respected Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Memon graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Talking to the participants through an interactive panel, discussions were moderated by Dr Qidwai, with equal participation from Thalassemia patients and families. Dr Qidwai and his dedicated team acquainted the attendees about the issues and stigmas of blood disorders and the efforts imparted by
AMTF to counter them. Dr Qidwai stressed the importance of regular Thalassemia screening before getting married and appealed for blood donations and contributions for saving lives.
With the vision of providing the utmost level of passionate care and creating mass awareness about childhood blood disorders since its inception in 2003, AMTF has grown from a two-room clinic and day-care to a 45-bedded state-of-the-art facility, the only free-of-cost Thalassemia and blood disorder service provider in Pakistan. It is credited to the untiring efforts of Dr Asim Qidwai and his motivated team of professionals, amassed with the privileged donors and prestigious members of the society for their contributions.
The noble cause of providing free-of-cost treatment with international standards to every patient, AMTF has saved over 4,500 lives and takes pride in having the first of its kind and only Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the region, providing state-of-the-art services to Thalassemia patients.
Recently, AMTF launched the Ehsaas karo kuch khaas karo program for getting life-saving blood donations from around the country via Pakistan’s first blood donation Red Bus, which is equipped with
the necessary medical amenities in a vehicular version. AMTF has initiated several programs to provide free-of-cost lab and diagnostics services, along with specialist consultancy clinics to the staff and families of various organizations.
A special thanks to Dr Farah, Dr Danish, Dr Muddassir, Dr Irfan, Dr Hadi, Dr Mushtaq, Dr Ghulam Sarver, Dr Ejaz, Mr. Zulfiqar Shah, Mr. Abdullah Abid, Mr. Ateeq ur Rehman, Mr. Rehan Yaseen, and Dr Waqar. A special thanks also to Mr. Zain Bashir, Mr. Saleem Akhtar, Mr. Faisal Kapadia & Team.
And last, but not the least, a very special thanks to Commissioner Karachi, Assistant Commissioner, and their team for sparing their time for this subject. Group photos were taken to commemorate a successful milestone – for the Thalassemia community and Pakistan!
The public relations (PR) for this event was handled by Mindmap Communications.
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