Dubai Health Authority Director General inspects Thalassemia Centre

HE Eng. Al Maidoor highlighted during his visit the need to further intensify awareness efforts with regard to the disease in order to protect future generations from this hereditary disease.

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This results in excessive destruction of red blood cells leading to anaemia.

Therefore majority of patients have to undergo regular blood transfusions and get rid of the [extra] iron in their bodies.

Dr Khawla Belhoul, Director of the Thalassemia Centre provided an overview of the services offered at the centre.

She said that the centre has 28 beds, provides services to 834 patients, of which 48% are Emiratis and 52% are expatriates.

She mentioned that the centre has all necessary equipment to provide services to patients such as blood transfusions etc and the fact that the Dubai Blood Donation Centre is located adjacent to this centre, is an advance, due to the regular blood supply needed by Thalassemic patients.

The Thalassemia centre in Dubai is the Emirate's only dedicated centre to manage this condition and provides internationally recognized levels of care in chronic disease management for Thalassemic patients.