DHA delegation visits Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman

Discusses cooperation in the field of haematology and bone marrow transplantation

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, September 2, 2013: The DHA committee for haematology and bone marrow transplantation recently visited the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman.

The delegation headed by Dr. Ahmad Hamed Abdulla Al Rustamani, head of the haematology unit at Dubai Hospital, visited the hospital to gain a better understanding of the hospital's haematology and bone marrow transplant facilities.

H.E. Dr. Ali Bin Saud Al-Bimani, President of Sultan Qaboos University and several healthcare professionals including Dr Salam Al Kindi, head of haematology and bone marrow transplantation department, from the hospital met with the DHA officials and provided a tour of the various facilities within the haematology and bone marrow transplant units.

Rustamani said: “The aim of the visit was to gain a better understanding of the hospital's haematology and bone marrow transplantation facilities and to discuss mutual cooperation in the field that can help benefit patients in both countries.”

Providing an overview of the existing services at Dubai Hospital, Rustamani said that the haematology unit provides treatment for patients with haematological disorders which are benign or malignant, either genetically inherited or acquired. Thus, the department covers a broad spectrum of disorders of the blood cells and treatment is available for a variety of conditions such as anaemia to more complicated blood cells disorders like leukaemia and bleeding disorders.

He added that was previously the DHA has a four bed unit in Rashid Hospital, however in 2012, the DHA decided to expand this service.

He said: “In 2012, the haematology services were expanded within the DHA and we opened a 20 bed state-of-the-art dedicated haematology unit at Dubai Hospital.

Of the 20 beds in the department, eight are for outpatients and four beds are dedicated for the positive pressure room, which is a specialised room for haematology patients that are immuno-compromised. The  positive pressure room helps protect patients with low immunity from acquiring infections and thus aids in improved patient outcomes.”

He added that the department looks into a host of blood related disorders which are either benign or malignant.

In terms of malignant blood disorders, he said the most common form in adults  is myeloid leukaemia, followed by lymphocytic leukaemia, which is more common in children. Other premalignant blood disorders include failure of bone marrow production.

He said other services of the unit include managing patients with post bone marrow stem cell transplantation. “Patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation are prone to complications such as Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is a chronic condition that our unit helps manage.”

He added that the department regularly takes part in international studies which are focussed on new cures, treatment methods and research on leukaemia and other haematological disorders.

He added that the unit has a dedicated full-time social worker who provides psychological and social support to patients.