Bank organises free screening for customers and employees in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain
• Bank committed to raising awareness of health concerns in UAE
Dubai, February 16, 2010: In line with its commitment to raising awareness about health concerns in the UAE, Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets, announced today that it is hosting two consecutive medical screening events in coordination with the UAE Genetic Diseases Association (GDA).
The event will give both Emirates NBD customers and employees in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain the opportunity to have free screening for inherited blood disorders such as Thalassemia, which is said to effect 1 in 12 people in the UAE.
"Thalassemia and other genetic disorders are a major concern in the UAE," said Abdulelah Al Kindy, Head of Retail Banking, Abu Dhabi Region, Emirates NBD, “but they can easily be prevented with a simple blood test. At Emirates NBD, we strive to educate our customers and employees to make informed choices that will benefit them in all aspects of their lives. Our screening event in Abu Dhabi received a good response from all attendees, many of whom were not aware of the dangers genetic blood disorders can pose."
“The UAEGDA has been able to considerably reduce the impact of common genetic disorders prevalent in the country, through its community outreach programs, health education, counseling and free screening tests,” said Dr. Maryam Matar Founder and Executive Director- UAE Genetic Diseases Association. “UAEGDA now has a genetic clinic and a state-of-the-art screening facility, supervised by internationally renowned experts, and with introduction of mobile units, screening has been extended to remote areas and corporate groups.”
Emirates NBD Abu Dhabi screening event successfully took place on February 14, and the Al Ain screening event will take place on February 17, at Emirates NBD main branch, from 9AM–2PM.
