UAE | Health
More thalassaemia-carrier couples decide against marriage
A 'handful' of thalassaemia-carrier couples have decided against marriage, a sign doctors see as encouraging in the country's efforts to eradicate the genetic blood disorder.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:52 February 1, 2008
Dubai: A 'handful' of thalassaemia-carrier couples have decided against marriage, a sign doctors see as encouraging in the country's efforts to eradicate the genetic blood disorder.
Thalassaemia, characterised by the breakdown of oxygen-rich red blood cells, is the most common genetic disease in the UAE. People with the disorder require regular blood transfusions in order to survive.
About one in 12 Emiratis carry the genes for thalassaemia and other blood disorders.
Dr David Spence, chief of medicine at Shaikh Khalifa Medical Centre (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News a small number of couples have decided against marriage if it means their children would inherit the disorder.
"A handful of couples - five or six couples with the thalassaemia trait - have decided not to get married when they find out [the risks]," he said, calling the couples courageous.
Understanding
"Some of them have seen the effects of the disorder in their own family," he added.
"We've seen the number rise progressively in the last eight years; we think it's a trend by young adults in the country. It reflects their understanding and their education," he said. "And we have couples who went ahead and got married, and they have thalassaemia babies now," he said.
He said the number of new patients has increased. SKMC is treating 100 thalassaemia patients, comprising 35 adults and 65 children, with plans to treat more.
Share this article
Popular in UAE
-
Your pictures
Readers' pictures
A Selection of the best Gulf News reader pictures this week
Latest news
- Abu Dhabi issues traffic safety guidelines for Eid
- Al Qasba celebrates Eid Al Adha with family activities
- Free parking for nine days in the capital
- DEWA opening hours during Eid
- Kuwaiti Emir invites Khalifa to Arab summit
- UAE Haj pilgrims safe and well: official
- Briton loses libel case against newspaper
- Activities lined up for Eid holidays in Dubai parks
- Malaysian woman jailed for forging cards
- Schools mark National Day with shows
- Munching on a health hazard
- Wag a tail
- SAT wiz: Top of the class
- Sharjah housemaid packed off
- Managing diabetes: Reason to smile
Community Reports
-
Munching on a health hazard
Residents must be careful about consuming snacks and sandwiches prepared along the roadside as they attract dirt and bacteria
-
Faded signage fails to guide visitors
Reader seeks better upkeep of signboards in green areas
-
Noise pollution must be regulated
Residents are finding it difficult to sleep well at night owing to ongoing construction work
-
Protect our children's health
Dust and dirt from a nearby road are causing problems to those frequenting Al Nasseriya park, Sharjah.
