SKMC celebrates the International Thalassemia Day on May 29th, 2008

The aim of the Thalassemia day is to raise the awareness of the public on how to prevent Thalassemia and that living with Thalassemia can be made easier and their life more enjoyable.

On this Occasion, SKMC will promote health awareness among the staff and community about Thalassemia, which is a preventable disease.

The Pediatric Department at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has planned a day long schedule of events, in cooperation with Novartis.

These events will include activities such as:

1) A booth set-up at Marina Mall on 29th of May, from 05:00 pm till 10:00 pm distributing educational brochures and pamphlets on Thalassemia and pre-marital testing in order to reach a "UAE Free of Thalassemia".

Doctors and nurses will be available at the booth to help the public and educate them about the disease. Moreover, games and fun activities are arranged for children.

2) The Mobile Donor Bus will be also available from 4 pm to 10 pm at the Marina Mall main entrance - next to the parking - for those who are interested to donate blood on the same day.

Some patients with Thalassemia may require blood transfusions blood transfusion once every 3 - 4 weeks week; therefore, donating blood is very essential to save their lives.

This is organized by Abu Dhabi Blood Bank which operates under the management of SKMC.

3) A booth at SKMC will be set up during the day to provide information to staff and visitors with question and answer sessions with visitors and staff to enforce their knowledge about Thalassemia and pre- marital testing.

4) Presentations and lectures to the staff to discuss with the doctors the trends, cases and latest findings about Thalassemia.

5) Posters and booklets will be distributed to all universities, hospitals and health centers within the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Mohamad Aboufares, Chief Strategy Officer at SKMC stated that "SKMC is committed to promote health in its environment not only through the application of best practice healthcare but also educating the patients and community on disease control and prevention. On average, SKMC celebrates 8-10 events a year with its community to increase awareness like the Lab Professionals week, World Kidney Day and many others."

Dr Azzam Al Zoebie, Division Head, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology avowed that "SKMC is currently treating 55 children and 25 adults suffering from Thalassemia. The children come to our newly opened Pediatric Short Stay Unit in the Surgical pavilion once every 3 - 4 weeks for blood transfusion as each blood infusion session would last 4-5 hours while the adults have their treatment and transfusion in the SKMC Infusion Center which was opened in July, 2006. Their routine appointments are to have a physical exam by the physician checking their growth and development and having tests to evaluate their organs' function and iron status."

"SKMC and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company - SEHA are committed to providing the highest international standard of care for our patients and especially our Thalassemia patients" Dr. Al Zoebi added. "We, at SKMC, are considered the first hospital, not only in the UAE but in the region, to offer the newly released oral iron chalator medication for our patients to use instead of the traditional injectable one and that has made a significant change in their lifestyle, compliance and outcome."