Spotlight on Thalassemia at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Caregivers, patients and their families at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) joined forces to shine a spotlight on thalassemia, as part of the hospital’s drive to raise awareness around the inherited disease.

To mark the day, the paediatric haematology and oncology teams organised several family-friendly activities including face painting, crafts, and gifts to be distributed amongst the children at the hospital

Thalassemia refers to a diverse family of genetic disorders affecting red blood cell production. The family of thalassemia diseases is widespread among races ranging from the Mediterranean region through the Middle East and Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia. People with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian ancestry are at higher risks of being carriers of alpha- or beta- thalassemia than other populations.

SKMC, managed by Cleveland Clinic, is part of the SEHA Health System and owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA), which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of
Abu Dhabi.