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Ray of Hope for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

dubai — Giving hope to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) has introduced a new treatment in the country.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer’s motor skills and speech, as well as other functions.

Those who remember famous boxer Muhammad Ali may also recall how his life has been crippled by Parkinson’s disease, says Dr Mohammed Gamil El Noamani, Deputy Head of the Community Centre of Elderly, Mamzar, Dubai.

Though the drug, Levodopa, was invented by professors in Uppsala University, Sweden in 1991, the change in the method of administration (called Duodopa) has shown remarkable differences in patients.

Currently, there are approximately 1,000 patients undergoing Duodopa in Europe and Australia.

Likewise, the treatment has brought about immense improvement in the condition of a UAE national and has also given hope to several others at the old age home in Al Mamzar.

“The first UAE patient started undergoing the new treatment called Duodopa in June this year after he was diagnosed with advanced Parkinson’s disease. He suffered disability and was incapable of performing normal activities. This added also to the suffering of his family,” explained Dr El Noamani.

“The man, who had been bedridden, now can sit and talk with his family members,” the doctor said.

However, the treatment method and the drug are expensive and may not be available to everyone.

“They cost up to Dh25,000. But we have to assess if a patient really needs the drug and then import it from Germany,” he said.

Under Duodopa treatment, levodopa is supplied into a constant and continuous flow directly to the duodenum via a portable pump and is absorbed directly into the blood stream. The earlier version of the medication was in a gel format.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com