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EAF fund to benefit arthritis patients

DUBAI — Arthritis patients in the UAE had a chance to meet at a get-together on World Arthirtis Day on October 12. The function was organised at the Emirates Towers by the Emirates Arthritis Foundation (EAF) with the support of the Dubai Bones And Joints Centre (DBAJ).

Dr. Cathy Leibman, EAF Managing Director, said: “The gathering helped us meet patients and discuss their personal and therapeutic care to boost their morale.”

Dr Leibman stated that the EAF has set up a charitable fund to help needy patients and provide appropriate healthcare to them for which funds are being raised through grants from corporations, donations from trade bodies wishing to support humanitarian issues, and other events and charitable activities.

She explained that arthritis, of which there are 100 types, affects about 20 per cent of the population and it is a major cause of deformity and disability, which affects all age groups from the young to elderly people.

Dr Leibman also said that EAF studies have showed that generally there is a delay in diagnosing the illness for around a year since it first emerges, in addition to about 18 months’ delay in taking the prescribed treatment. Further, 57 per cent of the patients do not take suitable treatment.

She added that to avoid arthritis, losing weight and doing exercises was necessary, in addition to a healthy diet.