Background

In Pakistan (photos) Cure2Children is supporting the cure of children with thalassemia major, the most common deadly genetic disease. This target was chosen as a priority for several reasons:
 

a) a huge case load with approximately 50,000 children suffering of this disease in Pakistan;

b) a high curability of low-risk cases with a compatible sibling donor;

c) well recognized expertise from Italy thanks to professor Guido Lucarelli;

d) a chronic disease which allows time for appropriate preparation of the transplant procedure;

e) families generally aware of the severity of the disease and thus very committed to its treatment;

f) a strong involvement of a very active Pakistani couple whose daughter was cured from thalassemia in Italy.

The preparation phase started in February 2007 with the first local visit. Since than, several meetings and workshops have been organized to share recommendations and procedures as well as institutional agreements. In April 2008 the first patients have been identified and in September the actual transplant activity was started at the National Institute of Blood Diseases in Karachi according to the same protocol applied in Italy. In January 2009, two new centers were inaugurated and have started bone marrow transplantation, one at Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad, and the other at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The latter was fully supported by the Cure2Children Foundation, and is the first bone marrow transplant unit in the public civil sector in Pakistan. This project is also aimed at the support of involved families as well as at screening and prevention of thalassemia.

The ultimate goal is not only to save the lives of many children and help their families but to contribute to professional independence, scientific visibility, and local ownership of transplant centers in Pakistan.

Aim

Support financially and professionally local institutions and families in order to provide the best available treatment to children with severe diseases such as thalassemia and prove that in many instances the same procedure performed in Italy can be safely and successfully applied in Pakistan. The focus is on promoting sustainability, local ownership and professional self-reliance.

Means

1. Shared guidelines and procedures pertinent to local reality
2. Diagnostic support
3. Daily communication via web-based tools
4. Monthly visits of health professionals
5. Procurement of drugs and other supplies for the management of affected children
6. Financial support and counselling of involved families

Activity summary as of September 2009

Overall expense: so far approximately 400,000 Euros

Future plans: to extend the network offering screening, prevention and treatment of thalassemia major in Pakistan and to developp a local state-of-the art laboratory.