Sundas Foundation

Thalassemia in Pakistan

Pakistan, with a population of approximately 240 million, faces Overwhelming healthcare challenges, particularly in the management of thalassemia. With over 10 million carriers of the thalassemia trait and around 5,000 new cases of thalassemia major diagnosed each year, the need for comprehensive healthcare support is urgent. Unfortunately, blood transfusion remains the primary management method, as standardized treatment protocols are lacking. The burden on families, especially those from lower socioeconomic strata, is immense as they struggle to afford the ongoing care required for their children.

In addition to thalassemia, preventable diseases such as pneumonia claim thousands of lives annually, with around 92,000 children under five dying each year. The inadequacy of our healthcare infrastructure, with only 1,167 government hospitals across the country, further exacerbates this crisis. These facilities are overwhelmed, resulting in an annual backlog of over 30 million medical treatments and procedures.