MIRPURKHAS: A district-level outreach camp organised by the Hemophilia Welfare Society Karachi Pakistan (HWSK) at New DHQ Hospital Mirpurkhas has revealed an alarming prevalence of joint complications among hemophilia patients, highlighting the urgent need for preventive treatment, specialised physiotherapy and improved access to healthcare services.
According to the assessment findings, 36 (90%) of the 40 patients examined for physiotherapy had joint complications, while 16 (40%) had developed joint deformities. Target joint involvement was identified in 65% of patients assessed, raising concerns about long-term disability and reduced quality of life.
The outreach initiative was organised with the support of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)–PACT Programme, in collaboration with the Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA) and DHQ Hospital Mirpurkhas.
The programme featured five dedicated camps covering patient registration, diagnostic investigations, physiotherapy assessments, women empowerment and youth empowerment.
A total of 100 families affected by hemophilia and other rare bleeding disorders were invited, while 51 patients attended the programme. The diagnostic camp conducted 51 investigations, including screening and specialised tests, and identified 21 new suspected patients requiring further diagnostic evaluation and clinical follow-up.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Dr Dur-e-Naz Jamal, Secretary SBTA, reaffirmed her commitment to supporting patients suffering from bleeding disorders and appreciated HWSK's efforts to extend specialised healthcare services to underserved communities.
Dr Hemji Chauhan, Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital Mirpurkhas, assured full institutional cooperation and facilitation for patients requiring treatment and follow-up care.
Dr Doongar Sham, HWSK Community Focal Person for District Mirpurkhas; Anis-ur-Rehman, Patron HWSK; and Rana Asghar Ali, Secretary General HWSK, also attended the event.
HWSK Founder and CEO Raheel Ahmed Khan emphasised that the findings highlighted the urgent need to strengthen government-supported prophylactic treatment, establish district-level treatment facilities, ensure access to specialised physiotherapy and develop effective referral mechanisms to prevent avoidable disabilities.
He stressed that timely diagnosis, preventive treatment and rehabilitation services were essential to improving patients' quality of life.
The Mirpurkhas initiative marked the first of five planned district-level outreach programmes across Sindh. The campaign aims to improve public awareness, identify undiagnosed patients, strengthen healthcare professionals' capacity and expand access to comprehensive care for people living with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
HWSK acknowledged the support of WFH–PACT, SBTA, DHQ Hospital Mirpurkhas, participating healthcare professionals and community representatives in successfully conducting the outreach programme.
