New push for genetic test

Nour Samaha

• Last Updated: April 30. 2009 11:59PM UAE / April 30. 2009 7:59PM GMT

DUBAI // The Dubai Health Authority is pushing for more action to prevent thalassaemia, one of the Emirates’ most common genetic disorders.

Thalassaemia is an inherited blood condition characterised by fewer red blood cells than normal and less haemoglobin – the substance that allows the cells to carry oxygen. This can lead to anaemia.

Mild cases may not need treatment, but more severe forms require blood transfusions.

Approximately one in 12 UAE nationals is affected by beta-thalassaemia minor, a trait of thalassaemia that may remain unrecognised in a family for a number of generations if untested, according to the Emirates Thalassaemia Society.

To increase awareness and prevention, and limit the number of new cases, the centre and the DHA plan on introducing thalassaemia testing in secondary schools across the Emirates.

A law passed two years ago made it compulsory for couples planning a marriage in the UAE to be tested for the gene.

But the Dubai Thalassaemia Centre at Al Wasl Hospital has been overflowing with patients and has stopped accepting new ones.

“We made it obligatory to get tested, but people slip through, either by not getting tested, or by getting married abroad where they don’t need to get tested,” said Dr Khawla Belhoul, the director of the centre, said yesterday at the launch of a campaign titled “Test to be safe”, in collaboration with the DHA and the Emirates Thalassemia Society.

“Our target is to reduce the rate of thalassaemia down to a minimum, as bringing it down to zero is impossible.”

He called it “painful” to see an easily preventable disease persist.

“We cannot deny the problem still exists,” he said, “and more needs to be done to bring awareness.”

Couples testing positive would not be prevented from having children, but they would be given information about the consequences of doing so.

The UAE is located in the “red band” for thalassaemia prevalence, where the disease is more common among people of Mediterranean, Arab and Asian origin.

“We want to target both government and non-government schools,” said Khaled al Shaikh, the assistant director general of finance and administration for the DHA.

“We really need the law to be enforced and more people to be aware.”

“We hope by targeting schools, we can catch the children before they go off to university or get married,” Dr Belhoul said.

nsamaha@thenational.ae