Rustum Phullan's Early Life and Diagnosis
Rustum Phullan, a 20-year-old with blood group O positive, hails from Kalatuk, Turbat, in Balochistan. Born on March 23, 2006, to parents who celebrated the arrival of a son, his early days were filled with hope. However, within one and a half months, he fell severely ill and was rushed to Civil Hospital Turbat, where doctors found his CBC levels critically low and administered a blood transfusion.
After his condition stabilized, his parents took him to Bantva Hospital in Karachi, where tests confirmed thalassemia major, a condition requiring lifelong blood transfusions. The diagnosis devastated the family, as they faced the daunting prospect of managing a chronic illness with limited resources.
Struggles with Treatment and Financial Burden
Rustum shares that for every transfusion, his parents struggled to find blood donors, often approaching relatives and strangers. "Sometimes after two to three days, the same procedure continued, and then someone felt pity and gave blood," he recalls. The blood was not screened at Civil Hospital Turbat, leading to iron overload that impaired his mobility.
The family faced immense financial strain, spending PKR 70,000 to 80,000 per month and nearly PKR 200,000 annually for checkups in Karachi. After a year, they could no longer afford these expenses and stopped traveling, relying solely on unscreened transfusions in Turbat.
Turning Point: Irshad Arif and KTCC
In 2019, a turning point came when Irshad Arif, founder of Kech Thalassemia Care Centre (KTCC), arranged for Rustum and his family to travel to Karachi for free medical checkups. "We didn't even know who this man was," Rustum says. Irshad Arif assured them, "From today, don't ask anyone for blood. Just come to me, and I will give you blood."
Since then, KTCC has provided Rustum with timely, screened blood transfusions and iron chelation medicines worth PKR 15,000 to 30,000 monthly, all free of charge. The centre, established in 2019, now supports over 500 registered patients and has organized more than 600 blood donation camps, becoming the largest thalassemia care facility in Balochistan.
Health Crisis and Recovery
Rustum faced a severe health crisis when he developed extreme diarrhoea that did not respond to treatment in Turbat. He was rushed to Civil Hospital Karachi, where doctors declared him beyond their help. His family then approached Dr. Saqib Ansari at Children's Hospital Karachi, where after prolonged treatment, his condition improved.
"When the whole world said these thalassemia patients can't survive for long, Sir Irshad with his team built our potential and hope," Rustum says, expressing gratitude for the care that restored his health.
Irshad Arif's Perspective
Irshad Arif describes Rustum as a unique personality with an extraordinary mindset. "He, despite being a thalassemia warrior, has the true potential to inspire others with his mini businesses. He is not only a soldier of a disease, but he is a visionary and accomplished character for his other thalassemia fellows and the entire world."
Call to Action
KTCC continues to be a vital lifeline for vulnerable families in Balochistan. The article urges readers to support the centre and emphasizes the importance of pre-marital HB electrophoresis testing to prevent thalassemia in future generations.
