Throughout Pakistan , 65,000 people suffer from thalassemia, over 20,000 of whom live in Sindh Province, including 350 in Badin. Thalassaemia is an inherited genetic disorder in which the production of normal haemoglobin is partly or completely suppressed because of a defective synthesis of one or more of its component globin chains ultimately severely affecting the functions associated with blood hemoglobin. Those affected by the disease require almost weekly blood transfusions.
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| Young boy receiving a blood transfusion in the new Thalassemia Center in Badin, Sindh, in Pakistan |
Because a large proportion of those struck with thalassaemia are children, it was important to the community that the center presents a bright and welcoming look. The well-equipped treatment center in Badin will now serve most patients in the region who will no longer have to travel to all the way to Karachi, which used to be the case.
This center, which is the third in Sindh, is equipped with 16 beds and ability to service almost 200 patients per year, free of cost. Costs will be picked up by those donating blood and individual philanthropists. The Centre is equipped with state-of–the-art equipment from abroad (e.g., blood screening and testing equipment). It also includes a blood bank and computer link with Hussaini Blood Bank in Karachi.
The District Government has provided the services of four doctors to staff the center. This new treatment center is the only one of its kind in rural Sindh and will cater to the needs of patients from Tharparkar, Thatta and Hyderabad.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has partnered with the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN) in a most innovative partnership called the "District Grants Programme.” This partnership is a pilot initiative that seeks to bring together the energies of district government, RSPN’s partners the Rural Support Programmes and the private sector. Across the four provinces of Pakistan, the programme has fostered these partnerships to meet the needs of poor communities and funded projects in health, education, water supply, irrigation, sanitation, and skill development. District governments leverage their own funds with those of the private sector and communities. The initiative has assisted district governments undertake projects worth a total of $1.3 million, including a USAID contribution of $850,000, $200,000 from district governments and $183,000 from the private sector and communities.
Through the District Grants Programme, USAID awards financial grants of up to US$ 50,000 for project proposals that have gone through a highly competitive process. Each funded project rewards people-government partnerships while meeting some of the basic needs at the grassroots level.
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| U.S Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker discusses health matters with local leaders, health workers, and blood donors in the Thalassemia center in Badin, Sindh, funded in part by the USAID District Grant Program. |
The U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan said in his inaugural speech that the overarching objectives of this program were to help local governments mobilize government, corporate and private resources that would complement the resources provided by USAID; deliver services needed at the local level; and strengthen local governments’ capacity to plan and implement development projects.
The Ambassador was delighted to note that much of the project’s success owed to the ability of the District Nazim of Badin, the Thalassaemia Care Centre CCB, and Mirza Sugar Mills to all quickly secure their portion of the resources to complete the project in a short time.
The District Nazim, while appreciating the generous contribution of USAID, said that this was an innovative initiative highlighting the partnership between USAID, the district government and Mirza Sugar Mills for the people of Badin. Through this project, the District Government will be able to solve a long-standing local problem. |
