By Mustafa Ali
Lahore:A delegation of thalassemia-affected children under the care of Sundas Foundation, led by Chairman Haji Sarfraz Ahmad, visited the Central Police Office (CPO) and met with the Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar. On this occasion, senior officers including Additional IG Welfare and Finance Imran Arshad, DIG Welfare Ghazi Muhammad Salahuddin, AIG Finance Dr. Nida Umar Chattha, and AIG Welfare Abdul Rahim Shirazi were also present. IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said that Punjab Police has taken up the responsibility of supporting and patronizing children suffering from thalassemia. He emphasized that Punjab Police has donated hundreds of thousands of units of blood for thalassemia patients so far. It is noteworthy that during the COVID-19 pandemic as well, Punjab Police continued to donate blood for children affected by thalassemia. A Virtual Blood Bank has been established at the Safe Cities Authority for citizens and thalassemia-affected children. Dr. Usman Anwar further said that 161 children of police employees suffering from thalassemia are being provided quarterly financial assistance of Rs. 45,000 each. Punjab Police spends over Rs. 2 billion annually on the welfare of the families of martyrs and police personnel. Additionally, 3,000 special children have been registered for disease diagnosis and medical treatment. A monthly financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 is being provided to 632 children suffering from cerebral palsy. A total of Rs. 320 million have been spent on the treatment of children of martyrs and serving police officers, including kidney, liver, heart surgeries, and other critical illnesses. Furthermore, Rs. 60 million have been spent for cochlear implant surgeries of 34 children with hearing impairments. Special children studying in dedicated institutions are being granted annual scholarships amounting to Rs. 450,000. According to the spokesperson of Punjab Police, thalassemia-affected children from Sundas Foundation also visited various departments of the Central Police Office including the Shuhada & Ghazi Walls, Police Museum, Constabulary Lounge, and other sections of the CPO. Chairman Sundas Foundation Haji Sarfraz Ahmad presented a bouquet and a souvenir to IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar on this occasion.
