US President Biden made the announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and called on other countries to follow suit
americas8 hours ago
Families from across the UAE marked Rare Disease Day 2022 with a lighting ceremony on Burj Khalifa to build awareness of rare diseases and their impact on patients and their families across the world. Many families gathered in Dubai’s downtown and many more tuned in online to witness the lighting of Burj Khalifa, offering messages of support for the 300 million people living with a rare disease worldwide, under the unifying message “Show Your Rare.”
Rare Disease Day is held annually around the world on the last day of February in support of those suffering from rare diseases, their families and their caregivers. According to the World Health Organisation, rare diseases affect 300 million people around the world, but only five per cent of cases have treatments. In MENA, an estimated 2.8 million people live with rare diseases, nearly half of them children.
Rare Disease Day Dubai has been organized since 2018 by High Hopes Pediatric Therapy Center, the not-for-profit early intervention pediatric therapy centre licensed under the Community Development Authority (CDA), and in the past welcomed hundreds from the community for walks on Kite Beach. Monday’s lighting ceremony was a collaboration between High Hopes together with Genpharm and the Loulou Foundation, which partnered to organize the event and raise awareness of rare diseases.
“The amazing support from the UAE community has made Rare Disease Day an important date on the country’s calendar every year, as we all stand together to recognize those suffering from rare diseases and their families,” said Lynn Barghout Jafar, Founding Mum of High Hopes Pediatric Therapy Center and co-founder of Loulou Foundation as well as a rare diseases mother.
She added: “On this day, we build awareness and improve knowledge across society about such rare diseases and give thanks to the leadership and community of the UAE for their support to all People of Determination. We are grateful for the participation of Genpharm, and all our supporters on this important day.”
Karim Smaira, co-founder and CEO of Genpharm said: “This year’s Rare Disease Day coincides with our 10th Anniversary at Genpharm. Our core mission since inception has been to support rare disease patients and families by raising awareness and providing access to therapies and cures.”
Kamel Ghammachi, co-founder and chairman of added: “Today, we are proud to be partnering on this special day with like-minded organisations, High Hopes and Loulou Foundation, to light up the Iconic Burj Khalifa, a true representation of what RARE is: strong, beautiful and proud.”
Earlier the same day, the fourth high-level meeting of the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases was held at the Swedish Pavilion at Expo2020 Dubai. It hosted dignitaries and patient advocates from around the world to discuss how global intergovernmental commitments, like the United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the recently adopted United Nations General Assembly Resolution on addressing the challenges of people living with a rare disease. Key topics focused on how the UN resolution can be adopted on regional, national and local levels to raise awareness of rare diseases.
US President Biden made the announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and called on other countries to follow suit
americas8 hours ago
Labour market differential narrows to 12.6 from 15.9
economy9 hours ago
Sheikh Tamim addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly
gulf10 hours ago
Anca Mateiu shot two stunning rounds of 66, giving her a commanding seven-shot lead going into the final round
sports10 hours ago
They stressed the importance of preventing a wider escalation of the conflict, which threatens to further endanger peace and stability in the region
americas10 hours ago
Measures are aimed at preserving the integrity and sustainability of the nation's financial and economic system
business10 hours ago
With an election due in a year, German politicians are wary of potential job losses
finance10 hours ago
"I’ve had success on these courses before—it’s always great to return to familiar ground," says the Dubai Golden Visa recipient
sports10 hours ago