Pediatrics (MBBS): Research Corner

Aims & Objectives
Create Awareness through Genetic Counseling, International Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Brochures, Leaflets, Posters, Lectures to target audiences at college level and also involving the Print and Electronic Media to create awareness about this cause.


Prevention is better than cure which is why the society screens the carriers by simple blood test and also offers the facility of Prenatal diagnosis to the pregnant mother determine whether the baby is Thalassaemic or Normal. The Society is a pioneer in this field and was the first to carry out Prenatal Diagnosis for Thalassaemia in Pakistan.

One of the principal Goals of the Society is the treatment of Thalassaemic children The Society has established a Thalassaemia Center in Peadiatric Department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore where Thalassaemic children are given the following treatments free of cost:

The body of a Thalassaemic cannot produce red blood cells, which means a blood transfusion is required every 3-4 weeks. The Society collects, screens and transfuses blood to patients coming to the Thalassaemia Center.

Due to repeated blood transfusions iron gets accumulated in the body. This excess iron must be removed from the body. The Thalassaemia center does this by using 'Desferal' injection given through a chelation pump. Each injection is administered in 8 hours and must be given 20 days a month. These patients are also given treatment for other Thalassaemia related complications such as splenectomy, infections, reactions, etc.

Thalassaemia is a disease, which not only effects the patient but also leaves a devastating psycho-social effect on the family of the patient. The society also organises a Patient Support Group to help the families of patients pull through this traumatic experience.

The original name for the Foundation was the Ontario Thalassemia Association. The Association made its own guidelines and objectives. It became legally incorporated on December 13, 1988, under the name Ontario Thalassemia Foundation.

On May 10, 1999, the Foundation’s name was changed to the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada to better reflect its Canada-wide membership and the work it does on behalf of thalassemia patients at a national level. The Foundation communicates with the thalassemia associations in Quebec and British Columbia and has connected with patients in Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.

The Thalassemia Foundation originally began as a support group for parents and patients. Its organizers wanted to teach parents how to administer Desferal to their kids. For young adults, the Foundation would allow patients to support one another. As the Foundation gathered more members, it was able to start fundraising, causing its focus to broaden. It became possible for the Foundation to gather money for research, and meeting the financial needs of patients, by providing Desferal pumps to those in greatest need.

The Foundation has been very successful so far. Over the years, the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada has grown to become a national organization and is now able to devote nearly one hundred thousand dollars per year to medical grants for research. Each year in February, the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada hosts an annual Valentine’s Dinner and Dance Fundraiser. This event is held to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada. The funds raised are completely dedicated to education, research, and provide necessary support for patients suffering from thalassemia in Canada. Funds collected by the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada have made it possible for funding grants to be endowed for scientific research in the field of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemia.

It has also established a distinguished medical advisory committee headed by Dr. Douglas Templeton with the University of Toronto, and has become a member of Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF). It has been invited to sit on many Canadian committees and members have been invited to present at numerous national and international conferences.

Thalassaemia. The aim of the Federation is to provide the associations with any assistance they need to provide all the required support including treatment and prevention services to Thalassaemics and their families.

Thalassemics India is a voting member of Thalassemia International Federation , an international body based in Cyprus.. Among some of the main achievements of the association since its inception are the establishment of the Thalassemia centers in two hospitals of Delhi. Organization of 5 successful International Conferences & Workshops, holding of free Thalassemia clinics, collection of medicines/equipments for free distribution, organization of free Thalassemia detection camps, collection of funds from India & abroad to help the underprivileged thalassemic patients towards their treatment & collaborating closely with important offices & departments at the state and central level for achieving the goals.