FAISALABAD, Sep 21 (APP):Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Director General (DG) Ayesha Manzoor Monday said that timely and safe availability of blood was imperative for protecting lives of thalassemia patients and urged the philanthropists and general public to step forward in supporting patients and institutions working for their welfare. She expressed these views while talking to the media persons during her visit to Sundas Foundation Faisalabad. She appreciated the …
Timely, safe blood supply imperative for saving lives of thalassemia patients: DG PEMRA
FAISALABAD, Sep 21 (APP):Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Director General (DG) Ayesha Manzoor Monday said that timely and safe availability of blood was imperative for protecting lives of thalassemia patients and urged the philanthropists and general public to step forward in supporting patients and institutions working for their welfare.
She expressed these views while talking to the media persons during her visit to Sundas Foundation Faisalabad.
She appreciated the services of Sundas Foundation for thalassemia patients and said that its expansion from major cities to other parts of the country was a commendable step towards making essential treatment and healthcare facilities accessible to patients closer to their homes.
Ayesha Manzoor said that provision of treatment and essential medical facilities to patients in remote areas at local level was a positive development that could help reduce the difficulties faced by patients and their families while improving access to timely healthcare.
She stressed that besides ensuring the availability of blood for thalassemia patients, effective screening of donated blood was equally essential to protect them from infections and other complications. She described blood donors as benefactors of the society, saying that by donating blood to save the lives of others, they were rendering a valuable service to humanity. Such donors should be encouraged and duly appreciated for their contribution, she added.
She said that individuals and organizations engaged in humanitarian service were a ray of hope amid an environment of despair and were also highlighting a positive image of Pakistan.
She urged the philanthropists to come forward and support thalassemia patients and welfare organizations so that treatment and blood transfusion facilities could continue without interruption for deserving patients.
Ayesha Manzoor said the Government of Pakistan should also take measures to encourage and promote individuals and organizations working for the welfare of humanity.
She said welfare initiatives and humanitarian services not only encouraged those already engaged in such activities but also inspired more people to come forward and help the deserving and vulnerable segments of the society.
Speaking about the role of the media, she said that greater attention should be given to public issues and welfare activities. Instead of devoting excessive coverage to irrelevant and less important matters, the media outlets should allocate more space and time to the issues concerning public welfare, health, education and other positive activities so that genuine challenges faced by the society could receive due attention, she added.
She said that greater media visibility for organizations engaged in humanitarian work would help create awareness about their services and encourage a wider section of the society to participate in welfare activities.
She also emphasized the need to highlight public-service projects and positive initiatives in a manner that could strengthen the spirit of mutual support, compassion and service to humanity.
Referring to the challenge of fake news, the PEMRA DG said that misinformation and fake news had emerged as a major challenge not only for Pakistan but for the entire world.
She stressed the importance of responsible journalism and dissemination of verified information to the public.
She said that PEMRA was the regulatory body responsible for regulating electronic media and it had the authority to take action on the complaints received against licensed television channels.
She explained that upon receiving a complaint, all relevant parties were given an opportunity to present their position after which the Council forwarded its recommendations to the Authority for further action in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
