I would like to congratulate “National Institute of Blood Diseases — Karachi” on its achievement to find a treatment for Thalassemia wherein 80 percent of the patients would not need either blood transfusions or it to be reduced to half of the earlier transfusion frequency. Thalassemia is a heredity disorder that affects a person’s ability to produce hemoglobin (red blood cells) requiring a patient to be on a lifelong, extensive and very expensive treatment including regular blood transfusions.
In Pakistan alone, 5,000-8,000 patients are born every year with this blood disorder while around 10 million people (carriers) are there who may spread the disease to others. It took 10 years to research and identify an already available medicine for treatment of Thalassemia patients. Research details were recently published in a US medical journal — The Journal of Pediatric Hematology and in the British journal — Lancet. Though this research is yet to be recognized by the international medical agencies/institutes and till that time this medication could only be used for further research under the supervision of doctors specialized in blood disorder disease, however, it’s a great news for millions of child patients and their parents all across the world that we are not far away from finding an effective treatment for this complicated disease. (Masood Khan, Jubail)
Drone attacks
It reflects very badly on the part of the government establishments, politicians and the general public of Pakistan to let loose “drones” in their open skies where very often innocent people particularly women and children get killed. The drone attacks, which have been going on for quite a long time, are a gross violation of human rights. Moreover they have allowed their territories for thousands of NATO tankers just to help their neighboring country to come out of the “mess” created by foreign powers. It’s a simple logic, Pakistan should come out first from its “own internal mess” before helping any other neighboring country. Better light a candle at home than the mosque nearby. (M. Bashir A. Shaikh, Mumbai)
Spreading hate
I was shopping in a Hyper Panda supermarket here in Riyadh the other day and noticed the store selling “Mein Kampf” written by Adolf Hitler. If you know anything about this book that the former dictator wrote himself you would know that it explains his intentions of eliminating Jews in Europe. This book sells hatred at the highest level not only toward Jews but to Christians and Muslims... who were on his list of extermination after the Jews. Why is such a book of hatred being sold in a family store, why is such a book being sold in Saudi Arabia. (Brian Wilson, Riyadh)
Good job done
This is in response to the letter, Modi’s hate campaign.” I would like to thank Arab News for promptly publishing my views. It was timely and well brought out. I appreciate the newspaper and its editorial team for taking up such burning issues for immediate publication to educate the readership, while expecting debates/ interactions from the media. I am glad we have in Saudi Arabia a newspaper caring for Indians’ views and their country’s developments in a steadfast manner. Calling “a spade a spade” is the first mantra any honest media follows. Keep it up. (Masroor Ahmed, Jeddah)
