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Blood Donation Drive Focuses on Thalassemia

DUBAI — Dubai Customs conducted a blood donation campaign which attracted 369 donors and 116 litres of blood was collected. Themed ‘Give Blood, gift life’, the two-day initiative was launched in collaboration with the Blood Donation Centre at Al Wasl Hospital, the Emirates Association for Thalassemia and Thalassemia Centre.

The drive, mainly targeting Thalassemia patients, took place at Jebel Ali Customs Center, Port Rashid, and the Customs Passengers Operations Management Office at Dubai Customs International Airport. Donors rushed to give blood in response to the campaign’s goals and in support to the society.

Feryal Tawakul, Executive Director of Community Affairs and Government Partnership Division said the campaign reflected Dubai Customs’ values and mission. “This campaign comes in line with the Dubai Customs social responsibility towards Thalassemia patients who represent an important part of the society.”

Thalassemia is a blood disorder characterised by an increased concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood but can easily be prevented with a simple and inexpensive blood test. It is a genetic disorder. Some people may be sufferers and some people may be carrying the gene but not suffere from it. If the latter marry a person who is also a carrier or suffers from the condition, they risk having children affected by thalassemia. Thus, tests play a crucial role in determining whether a person is carrying the thalassemia gene or not.

Patients and families of the UAE’s Thalassemia community earlier launched ‘Hope Continues’, a campaign calling for more blood donation ‘Give blood’ and increased awareness of the need for pre-marital blood testing.

Dr Ahmed Kadhim, Specialist Registrar at the Thalassemia Centre blood transfusions in Dubai said the procedure could cost between Dh 50,000 to 70,000 per year, excluding nurses’, doctors’, laboratory and other expenses. Dr Erol Baysal, head of Molecular Genetics Unit at the Genetic and Thalassemia Centre in Dubai, said Thalassemia affects many families in the UAE at social, medical and psychological levels.

“One in 12 people in the UAE is said to be thalassemia carrier. And, the centre is the only facility in the country that conducts highly specialised tests to detect traits of thalassemia.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com