Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation donates AED 300,000 for Thalassemia patients as part of Help campaign.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, July 14, 2013:  The Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation donated AED 300,000 for yearly supply of medications of thalassemia patients.

The move supports the ‘Help' campaign for Thalassemia patients that was jointly launched in April this year by DHA, Beit Al Khair Society and Rotana Group of Hotels.

Fatima Saeed, Social Worker at the Dubai Thalassemia Centre of Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said that Dubai Islamic Humanitarian Foundation has handed over the donation to purchase yearly medications for seven expatriate patients with financial difficulties.

She said the patients live in Fujairah and are seeking treatment at a hospital there. Saeed and her team met the patients during their road trip to Fujairah.

As per of the campaign which will take place until April 2014, doctors, administrators, social workers, nurses and patients from Dubai have been taking part in workshops and round table discussions on best practices, treatments, management issues and challenges facing Thalassemia patients.

Although some 2,000 patients are registered in the UAE, the Thalassemia Centre estimates that one in 12 people in the UAE is a carrier. As most people aren't aware they're carriers, the Centre advises screening for the condition. Being an inherited disease, chances of developing Thalassemia symptoms increase to 25% when both parents are carriers. 

Thalassemia occurs when there is a defect in the gene that controls production of proteins in the hemoglobin, which can lead to anemias. Thalassemia can be managed by following treatment plans, monthly blood transfusions, folate supplements. The only curative treatment for Thalassemia is a bone marrow stem cell transplant, but only a small proportion of patients are able to find a good donor match, and the procedure is risky.

The Dubai Thalassemia Centre has been running Thalassemia activities since its opening in 1989, and is the first ambulatory centre worldwide outside the USA to be awarded Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.