New Thalassemia Centre launched in Ras al-Khaimah

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, and H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President and Chief Patron of the Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation, inaugurated the Sultan bin Khalifa Thalassemia and Blood Disorders Centre in Ras al-Khaimah.

Sheikh Mohammed and Dr. Sheikh Sultan unveiled the memorial plaque of the first of its kind specialist centre for the treatment of thalassemia in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah and toured its units.

The new health facility comprises four clinics, a laboratory, entertainment area and other health and services health departments.

Dr. Abdullah Al Nuami, Director of the Ras al-Khaimah Medical District, thanked Dr. Sheikh Sultan for his humanitarian care and support for the thalassemia patients.

''HH's care was demonstrated in establishing this world-class Centre to provide high-quality services to patients,'' he said.

Saeed Al Awadi, Head of Corporate Communications at the Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation, said the new Centre would support patients morally and psychologically while receiving treatment.

He added that the 10,000-square foot Centre is manned by medical and technical teams from the Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Thalassemia is one of the most common inherited blood disorders known to mankind. It is estimated that at least 12 children are born with the disease every hour in the world. With over 490 million thalassemia carriers in the world, in the absence of a comprehensive Thalassemia prevention programme, children with the disorder will continue to be born draining the medical, social and economic resources of many nations, according to an update posted on the Foundation's website.

The Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Award is dedicated to value substantive efforts and contributions that have been made towards improving the quality of life of patients with Thalassemia and other Haemoglobinopathies, by Individuals and Institutions, at the national, regional or international level.