Participants in the awareness campaign about the risks of not undergoing premarital screening, organized by the “Wa’i Campaign” at the University of Science and Technology, Female Branch, on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, emphasized the importance of conducting premarital tests as one of the most essential steps to ensure the health of future children.
The campaign aimed to stand in solidarity with children suffering from thalassemia and hereditary blood disorders, while highlighting the critical role of premarital screening in preventing these chronic diseases. It was noted that the lack of screening often results from either ignorance or negligence by couples planning to marry, leading to burdensome consequences for families.
During the event, Dr. Ahmed Shamsan, President of the Yemeni Society for Thalassemia and Hereditary Blood Diseases, expressed his gratitude to the University of Science and Technology for supporting such initiatives. He called on universities, organizations, and youth initiatives to host awareness activities and seminars to educate the public on the importance of premarital screening. Dr. Shamsan also emphasized that since its inception, the Society’s primary goal has been to combat these chronic diseases through promoting premarital testing to ensure a childhood free from hereditary blood disorders. He further noted the significant challenges the Society faces in providing care to patients across the country, especially under current difficult circumstances.
On the other hand, Dr. Jamal Darham Zaid, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the university, thanked all the Society’s staff for their vital work with children affected by thalassemia and hereditary blood disorders and their families. He urged all compassionate individuals to consider the plight of these families and to stand alongside the Society in overcoming the challenges it faces.
The children with thalassemia also had a prominent presence at the event. Anwar Saleh, a young girl, delivered a heartfelt speech blending her own suffering with tears, shedding light on the hardships faced by the families of children with thalassemia and hereditary blood disorders. She called on all government agencies to stress the importance of premarital screening to prevent the pain and suffering caused by these diseases and to support these patients through various means.
