Emirates NBD partners with UAE Genetic Diseases Association for health initiative

This comes in support of the National Health campaign 'Emirates Free of Thalassemia 2012' - the first project of UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA) established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and launched by Dr. Maryam Matar, Executive Director of the UAEGDA.

In an important first for the organization, a large number of Emirates NBD employees had testing and also awareness on the health risks posed by most common inherited blood disorders in our community.

Dr. Maryam Matar said:

"The UAEGDA has been able to considerably reduce the impact of common genetic disorders prevalent in the country through its community outreach programs, health education, counseling and free screening tests. We thank the government and corporate groups in supporting and increasing awareness among people. UAEGDA now has a free genetic clinic and a state-of-the-art screening facility supervised by internationally renowned experts. UAEGDA has been conducting free screening for students studying in various colleges and universities across the country. With introduction of mobile units, screening has been extended to remote areas and also to the corporate groups."

In line with the UAE federal government's vision to make the country free from new births of children with Thalassemia disease by the year 2012, Dr. Matar has welcomed the support of Emirates NBD in reaffirming its commitment to raising awareness and reducing the impact of common inherited blood disorders so that our future generations are born healthy.

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by defective production of hemoglobin, leading to low production and over-destruction of red blood cells.

The clinical severity of Thalassemia varies greatly depending on the exact nature of the genes that a person inherits. The severe type of Thalassemia is terrible and debilitating disorder to live with.

Genetic disorders continue to pose a significant problem in the UAE, challenging the medical, social and financial resources of the nation and Emirates NBD has partnered with the UAEGDA on this important health initiative.

As a leading employer in the UAE, õEmirates NBD is committed to investing in its staff, both in terms of career development and overall wellbeing.