Lahore: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan attended a ceremony held at Sundas Foundation Lahore Center as the Chief Guest on the occasion of “Thalassemia Awareness Week” being observed in connection with World Thalassemia Day. Founder & President Sundas Foundation Muhammad Yaseen Khan, Director Khalid Abbas Dar and the management of Sundas Foundation warmly welcomed the Governor Punjab upon his arrival.

Governor Punjab met children suffering from thalassemia and hemophilia, inquired about their well-being and distributed gifts among them. The ceremony was attended by Vice Chairperson Punjab Social Protection Authority Jahan Ara Wattoo, office bearers of Rotary Club Lahore City, students from different universities and a large number of citizens.

Addressing the ceremony, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that Sundas Foundation has been selflessly serving humanity for the last 29 years. Saving the lives of thousands of children suffering from thalassemia is a great humanitarian service. He said that people who care for the weak and underprivileged are truly remarkable. He further stated that creating awareness against thalassemia is a collective responsibility and timely testing is extremely important for the prevention of this disease.

The Governor Punjab appreciated the services of Founder & President Sundas Foundation Muhammad Yaseen Khan and said that the patronage of late Munno Bhai further strengthened this mission and transformed it into a strong welfare movement. He also thanked Sundas Foundation for its cooperation in establishing the Benazir Bhutto Dialysis Center and Blood Bank in Attock.

Governor Punjab further said that the financial support being provided by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif to institutions working for the treatment of thalassemia and similar diseases is commendable. He added that the Punjab Government should further increase financial assistance for children suffering from thalassemia at Sundas Foundation.

He said that collective awareness must be created for the elimination of thalassemia and that providing special attention and facilities to affected children is the need of the hour.

At the end of the ceremony, a Thalassemia Awareness Walk was also organized under the leadership of Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan to spread awareness about thalassemia prevention and early screening among the public.