• Home

Call for more blood tests to screen genetic disorders

DUBAI — Health service providers yesterday called for making blood tests to screen genetic disorders, including thalassaemia, compulsory at the secondary school levels.

Representatives from the UAE’s thalassaemia community and health officials said at a Press meet at the Emirates Thalassaemia Society Centre while launching ‘Hope Continues’ campaign, though the pre-martial screening law existed, it did not contribute in stopping marriages among thalassaemia carriers.

Dr Fatma Hussain Sajwani, specialist haematologist at Al Qasimi Hospital said, “Until now, I have not come across any couple who have scrapped their wedding plans because they are thalassaemia carriers.”

She also called for equal care for patients across the emirates.

“We do not have any proper statistics on the number of patients in the country.

“Each emirate may have its own workings, but nothing is combined.

“Besides, care of thalassaemia patients varies between hospitals,” she explained.

Thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, is a highly prevalent disease in the UAE but can easily be prevented with a simple and inexpensive pre-marital blood test, say health care providers. “Thalassaemia carriers need to be aware of the risks if they marry — the most serious being producing children with Thalassaemia Major who will require weekly blood transfusions for the rest of their lives to ensure their survival,” explained Dr Fatma.

Dr Essam Dohair, Outreach Coordinator at Emirates Thalassaemia Centre said, “If we spread awareness at an early age about the disorder, we might help the future generations.

“For this, we need coordination of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy and all health authorities,” he noted.

Stressing on better education and communication between different health authorities, Dr Fatma said that the number of carriers was rising. “At present, in the Northern Emirates, we have 100 Thalassaemia Major cases requiring regular blood transfusion out of which 62-65 are UAE nationals,” she said, adding that three new cases had been reported within the past three months.

She also said that blood shortage and matching types were issues to be dealt with.

“Sometimes, our patients with rare blood groups have to wait at least for a week before the transfusion since the matching blood type is not available,” she said, adding that more blood collection was required to meet the increasing requirements.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s thalassaemia community is observing the International Thalassaemia Day on May 3 at Dubai Creek Park.