AMOUBA conducts seminar on Thalassemia

By Mir Mohsin Ali RIYADH — Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMOUBA) held a seminar on the topic of “Thalassemia – Symptoms Causes and Diagnosis” at the Red Onion Restaurant. Dr. Farrukh Tasneem Shah, MD Red Cell Disorders Unit, Department of Hematology, Whittington Hospital NHS and University College London Hospitals, London, was accorded a warm reception to deliver the lecture. In a power point presentation Dr. Farrukh highlighted the facts and figures of Thalassemia to stress on disorder that could prove life threatening if it is acute and severe. Dr. Farrukh Tasneem Shah, in an informative presentation/interactive session with the audience, explained to them in detail about Thalassemia and gave emphasis on general awareness about this disease and the ways for its prevention, which she stressed is better than cure. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. The two main forms of Thalassemia are alpha- Thalassemia and beta-Thalassemia. The function started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Qari Hudaifa, and executive member Mohammed Arif presented flower bouquet to Dr. Farrukh. Suhail Ahmed, president, welcomed the gathering and introduced Dr. Farrukh to the guests and presented memento to her. The two main forms of Thalassemia — alpha and beta — vary basically in the affectation of the genes. In alpha form at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality, while in beta, the beta globin genes are affected. Each of these two forms of thalassemia has several distinct types. The exact form you have will affect the severity of your symptoms’ and prognosis. The program was anchored by Vice President Salman Khalid and the vote of thanks was delivered by the General Secretary Arshad Ali Khan. A large number of AMU alumni, especially the young alumni and many non-Aligs luminaries of the Indian community, Doctors and medical staff from King Saud Medical City attended with their families.