The Burhani Medical Welfare Association (BMWA) comprising of qualified professionals and businessmen from different walks of life is a non-political, non-religious, non-sectarian social welfare organization registered with the Directorate of Social Welfare Government of Sindh vides registration no. DSW (654) – K. and Sindh Blood Transfusion Authority1vide registration No. 1829 located in Block “F”, North Nazimabad, Karachi, the philosophy of working of the BMWA has always been to:

• Provide thoroughly screened voluntary donor blood to needy patients in various hospitals of Karachi.
• Discourage and eventually eliminate commercialism in blood donation
• Educate the masses regarding the benefits of voluntary blood donation to one’s own self and to the society at large.
• Alleviate the sufferings of patients afflicted by fatal blood diseases especially Thalassaemia by providing proper treatment facilities.
• Help prevent the spread of Thalassaemia by providing “Genetic Counseling” to prospective parents.

OUR PROJECTS

• Burhani Blood Bank & Transfusion Centre
• Burhani Thalassaemia Club

To practically implement and propagate our philosophy of work, the members of BMWA started the Burhani Blood Bank and Thalassaemia Club in 1990. the Burhani Blood Bank provides voluntarily donated healthy screened blood round the clock to the needy patients. Blood is, however, provided on an exchange basis i.e. blood is taken in exchange for blood given. Under the umbrella of Thalassaemia Club, registered thalassaemic children are provided with blood as and when needed but without exchange. Parents and relatives of the registered child are however encouraged to donate blood regularly (once every 03 months). Now with the opening of the Transfusion Centre and induction of further sophisticated equipment in the blood bank, the BMWA in now in a position to cater to the request for all type of blood and blood products (i.e. components of whole products). Moreover, complete medical checkup, regular blood transfusion and follow up management services will be extended to the registered thalassaemic children by a panel of doctors.

OUR GOALS 

In the years to come, the BMWA intends not only to strengthen its existing services but work towards the prevention of thalassaemia through genetic counseling. This, we feel, would be a more positive contribution rather than plan to expand and prepare ourselves to receive more and more affected children.

The BMWA has very bravely withstood the rough weathers during its early years of life. This was possible only due to the undaunting support of a handful of friends and well wishers, who still stand by the organization to ensure its smooth sailing. Surely these friends shall continue their support, however, the BMWA now very strongly feels the need for the creation of an endowment fund that will ensure its survival as a financially viable entity. The idea behind this would be to free the association’s projects from an age-old dependency on the caprice of the donation box.

The creation of the endowment fund will allow the BMWA to remain functional on its investments and look upon to its established network of donors for capital investment, equipment acquisition and unforeseen emergencies.

OUR BENEFICIARIES

Since the doors of BMWA are open for all irrespective of cast, creed, sect or financial status, its beneficiaries would include:

• Those thalassaemic children who get themselves registered with the Burhani Thalassaemia Club.
• Patients in the various hospitals of Karachi in dire need of blood or blood bye-products.
• Prospective parents who would be provided information on thalassaemia and its prevention through genetic counseling.
• The general masses at large, through our educative pamphlets, may educate themselves regarding the benefits of voluntary blood donation and the possible hazards of transfusion of commercially available blood.