CPWB chairperson urges promotion of thalassemia screening before marriage
The chairperson of the Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau is advocating for mandatory pre-marital thalassemia screening to reduce genetic disorders. She emphasized that while cousin marriages are culturally significant, awareness of health risks is essential for child welfare.
Why it matters
Addressing genetic health risks in regions with high rates of consanguineous marriage is a critical public health challenge for long-term population wellness.
LAHORE - Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) on Saturday said that child protection begins even before birth, stressing the need for greater awareness about genetic risks, pre-marital thalassemia screening and genetic counselling. Addressing the international Conference on Human Reproductive Health (CRAFT-2026) at a local hotel here on Saturday, she appreciated renowned gynaecologist, Dr Arshad Chauhan for including cousin marriage among the key subjects of the conference. She also lauded Prof Dr Rashid Latif and the panel of experts for their discussion based on scientific evidence and public awareness. Chairperson Sara Ahmed said more than 80,000 children had been rescued by the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau(CPWB) since its establishment while over 1,200 children were currently under its care. She said the burden of preventable diseases faced by families could further complicate issues relating to child protection and welfare.
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