Hereditary Anemias in NWFP

Abstract

Hereditary anemias are common in cities, villages, mountainous areas and tribal regions of Pakistan. Thallesemia major/minor, Sickle cell anemia and Hb C and E diseases and G6PD deficiency anemia have been well reported from all over Pakistan. Other enzyme deficiency anemias, red cell membrane defect anemias and Hb.H and Bart Hemoglobin diseases though present in this area have not been reported frequently. The magnitude of this hereditary abnormality in the population of Pakistan is tremendous, however, its enormity has been masked by other preventable conditions like infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. If Pakistan overcome the infectious and nutritional problems (hopefully by the year 2000, a target by WHO), hereditary disease including anemias will become the most important problem to be considered and tackled by the national planners.