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11 Thalassaemia Patients to Take Part in Singapore Conference

DUBAI —Eleven Thalassaemia patients flew to Singapore on Monday evening to learn and interact with others at the International Thalassemia Conference being held from October 8 to October 11.

The group of patients and their escorts has been sponsored by the Emirates Thalassemia Society ( ETS). Saeed Al Awadhi from ETS, who is also heading the group, said that, “This is the first time that a group from the UAE that includes patients is attending an international conference.”

He said that the conference was an excellent opportunity for patients to learn about better management of their disease.

“They want more acceptance from society which has allocated certain tasks for them.

“They, however, are normal people and want equal treatment from society,” he said. He also added that the conference will discuss ways of managing their day to day affairs to the maximum benefit.

Shakeela Bashir, 27, who is part of the group, requires blood transfusion every three weeks. “As a patient, I wish to interact with other people who are suffering 
in the same way and seek new and better and treatment methods to the disease,” she explained.

Likewise, Mohammed Al Awadhi, 25, also requires frequent blood transfusions. “Currently, we are using two kinds of medicines to make red blood cells in the body. But there is confusion about the best kind of medicine. Through this conference, I would like to clarify my doubts,” he added.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com