Patients and doctors of the UAE’s Thalassemia Center at Al Wasl Hospital Dubai celebrated the upcoming 2 December UAE National Day using this opportunity to thank the country’s visionary and extremely generous leadership.
Hosted on behalf of the Thalassemia community, grand preparations were in place at the Al Wasl Hospital gardens as celebrations involved day-long games, entertainment, and food and beverage.
Special crafts created by the Thalassemia patients took the spotlight while UAE traditional songs and dances complemented the festive occasion.
In keeping with the UAE National Day theme, a large heritage tent was erected depicting the traditional lifestyle and culture of the seven emirates.
Local specialties and desserts were offered to all the guests while the children took part in the competitions and plays arranged for them showing the normalcy and richness of life enjoyed by Thalassemia patients in the UAE.
Adding to the colour were horse rides and play areas; memorable moments included the speeches made by the Thalassemia patients who thanked the country's leadership for the difference made in their lives through the available facilities.
Staff and doctors were thrilled at the outcome of the event as guests enjoyed the day's activities; a medical and blood bank stall was set up for the event where Thalssemia patients were educated on the medicines and facilities made available to them.
Thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, is a highly prevalent disease in the UAE but can easily be prevented with a simple and inexpensive blood test. Thalassemia carriers are healthy people and can have healthy children, but they should not marry other carriers or they risk producing children born with Thalassemia.
The Dubai Thalassemia Center – the first in the Middle East and still the only in the GCC – serves UAE nationals and expat patients alike at no charge.
