Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Raises Awareness of Bleeding Disorders to Mark World Haemophilia Day 2015

SKMC’s Paediatric Oncology & Haematology Department Brings Families Together to Support Children with Haemophilia

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic is bringing together families to support and raise awareness of paediatric haematology, as part of World Haemophilia Day, supported by the World Federation of Haemophilia.

Taking place on 16 April 2015 the theme for World’ Haemophilia Day this year is “Building a Family of Support,” which aims to raise awareness about bleeding disorders and the need to build a family of support for those living with them. Approximately 1 in 10,000 people have haemophilia which is an inherited bleeding disorder that affects the blood clotting process. People with haemophilia do not have enough clotting factor – a protein in the blood that controls bleeding – which means that haemophiliacs can bleed for longer than normal, and some may experience spontaneous bleeding into joints, muscles, or other parts of their bodies.

The Paediatric Oncology & Haematology Team at SKMC is, for the fifth consecutive year, holding an interactive and engaging event designed to bring together the whole family and raise public awareness of the condition. Children and their families are invited to get together with the SKMC teams and other members of staff in the hospital playground between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on 16 April 2015.

Dr. Jamal Al Jubeh, Chair of the Paediatrics Institute at SKMC, certified by the American board of Paediatrics and American Board in Pediatric Endocrinology said, “We are committed to raising awareness of paediatric haematology and oncology and this event marks SKMC’s fifth year participating in World Haemophilia Day. SKMC’s paediatric haematology division follows a multidisciplinary approach where haematologists, paediatricians, nurses, orthopaedists, dentists, dieticians, social workers, physical therapists and psychologists in addition to other caregivers work together as part of specialized care teams to deliver the best and most appropriate care for each individual patient’s needs.”

Event activities include face painting, arts and crafts, and children will also be treated to gift packs during the get-together. Caregivers from SKMC will be on hand to provide information to patients, visitors and staff about haemophilia, and answer any questions about bleeding disorders and services available at the hospital. Interactive display boards will be on show for patients to learn about the Paediatric Department’s activities, along with educational brochures and leaflets.

Dr. Abdelmajeed Al Zubaidi, Chief Medical Officer at SKMC, certified with the American Board of Internal Medicine said, “We welcome such public awareness campaigns as these annual events create an informative and engaging environment in which information and expert support is easily accessible to families.”

Dr. Azzam Alzoebie, Chief of Pediatric Oncology and Haematology Division at SKMC, certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, stated: “Haemophilia affects many aspects of a person’s health and daily life. The paediatric haematology & Oncology division has initiated a factor VIII prophylaxis program for severe Haemophilia A patients to receive their missing clotting factor three times a week. This helps to protect them from continued bleeding and enables them to grow, function and play with no significant risk of bleeding. With special collaboration, arrangement and training between various teams, we have now extended our services to provide the factor VIII prophylactic treatment for some of our haemophilia patients at home.”

Currently, SKMC cares for approximately 56 children with haemophilia and congenital bleeding disorders and another 22 adults.

For over 25 years patient groups and treatment centres have been coming together to celebrate World Haemophilia Day. Since its inception in 1989, the celebration has become a unique opportunity for all partners to work together to increase awareness about haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.