DHA to provide job opportunities to thalassemic patients in UAE

The Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Thalassemia Centre, which is the emirate’s only dedicated centre that provides internationally recognised levels of care in chronic disease management for thalassemic patients, and World Security signed today an MoU with an aim to provide job opportunities for thalassemics in the UAE.

The MoU was signed by Abdulla Khayat, CEO of Latifa Hospital, and Mahmoud Mohd Amin, CEO of World Security, at the Thalassemia Centre, which is located in the premises of Latifa Hospital.

Al Khayat said: “Thalassemia patients are capable of working and contributing to society. Over the years, more patients are entering the workforce and this is a step in the right direction. Holding a job not only helps improve the quality of life of patients with thalassemia but also helps provide financial stability.”

The jobs will be provided for thalassemia patients who do not have a strong educational background because these patients often miss out on job opportunities where a higher educational degree is mandatory.

World Security will ensure a comfortable work environment and an additional two-day off every month so that thalassemics can undergo regular blood transfusions which are needed every three to four weeks.

Mahmoud Amin, CEO of World Security, said that as per the MoU they will try and provide jobs to as many thalassemics as possible.

“This is in line with our commitment to society and is part of our corporate social responsibilities. We are confident that these patients will add to the quality of our workforce and will be able to perform their duties diligently.”

Dr Fatheya Al Khaja, Acting Director of the Thalassemia Centre, said that society members should support thalassemia patients who fight this life-long disorder and that when these patients are integrated in society through such initiatives it does significantly improve the quality of their lives.

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This results in excessive destruction of red blood cells leading to anaemia.

Therefore majority of patients have to undergo regular blood transfusions and get rid of the [extra] iron in their bodies.

Al Khaja provided an overview of the services offered at the centre.

She said that the centre has 28 beds, provides services to 834 patients with various blood disorders including thalassemia, of which 48 per cent are Emiratis and 52 per cent are expatriates.

She mentioned that the centre has all necessary equipments to provide services to patients such as blood transfusions etc. and the fact that the Dubai Blood Donation Centre is located adjacent to this centre, is an advantage, due to the regular blood supply needed by thalassemic patients.

The thalassemia centre in Dubai is the emirate’s only dedicated centre to manage this condition and provides internationally recognized levels of care in chronic disease management for thalassemic patients.

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