Dubai: The tallest tower in the world, The Burj Khalifa presented itself for a special cause recently when the super structure was lit up to celebrate the 2022 International Thalassemia Day on 8^th of May.

Patients, Families, Carers and Support organizations looked on as the iconic landmark carrying a message of support and solidarity for thalassemia patients, spreading awareness and improving the understanding of thalassemia.

INTERNATIONAL THALASSEMIA DAY

The Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) organizes the global observance of the Day which intends to encourage the global community to work together as one to improve knowledge and care around the disease that impacts over 80 million people worldwide.

The spectacle at The Burj Khalifa was a result of the collaboration between Bristol Myers Squibb, a global pharmaceutical company, the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) and local partners including Emirates Health Services, Emirates Thalassemia Society, HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation & Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Award.

The initiative strived towards sending a message of unified support to the UAE’s thalassemia patient community and echoes the theme of the global awareness day which, for 2022, is “Be Aware. Share. Care.”

THALASSEMIA

An inherited blood disorder, Thalassemia is characterized by the production of an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein within red blood cells that the body needs to carry oxygen.

The disorder leads to anemia and other serious symptoms, such as bone abnormalities and growth deficiencies.

Thalassemia Patients are often required to receive lifelong red blood cell transfusions to support normal growth and development, maintain quality of life and increase life expectancy.

Over the years, the UAE government has made considerable efforts to improve the understanding of the need to identify the thalassemia carrier population and enhance the disease care.

However, the disease continues to present a significant burden on patients, healthcare services and society at large, highlighting the ongoing need for continued public awareness, promotion of prevention programs and enhanced access to innovative care.

“Thanks to scientific advances and the selfless efforts of patients, their families and medical experts, the quality of life for thalassemia patients has improved greatly in recent years. We created the Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Award, in partnership with the TIF, to recognize and celebrate those who have made enormous progress in improving access to care and to bringing thalassemia to the forefront of the political and health agendas at local, regional and global levels,” Dr. Talib further added.

Commenting on the importance of the day, Mr. Abdul Basit Merdas, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Thalassemia Society remarked that, “On this day, we raise the level of awareness and knowledge of thalassemia, and we extend our thanks and gratitude to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates for their continuous support to thalassemia patients. Which truly embodies the meaning of excellence.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Androulla Eleftheriou, TIF Executive Director stated that, “Despite the ‘spread’ of thalassemia at an increasing rate worldwide, public awareness and information about the condition, in addition to concrete and tangible actions by competent healthcare authorities at the local level towards its effective prevention, control and management, remain significantly limited in many countries. The Thalassemia International Federation, through its collaboration Regional TIF Collaborating Office, under the HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Foundation calls for the intensification of concerted efforts and collective mobilization by all related stakeholders to change that.’’

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