Addressing a ceremony to formally open Dow Thalassemia Assistance Unit at Dow Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) on Friday, he said the fact that there is a significant population of thalassemia minor in the country which can not be ignored.

"While the carriers of thalassemia are at no risk to develop any complication, however, wedlock between two thalassemia minor holds 70pc to 80pc chances of a child born with thalassemia major," said the governor also a medical graduate by qualification.

"People have to understand that children born with thalassemia major usually do not survive above the age of 20 year to 25 years," he said.

"That too with a compromised quality of life and in constant need of blood transfusion with its associated risks," he added.

Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan appreciated DUHS authorities for establishing a full fledged thalassemia unit focussed on public awareness to prevent the diseases, providing free of cost screening facilities to the interested couples besides promotion of voluntary donation culture for people in need.