First-ever 'Walk with Parkinson's' event in Dubai connects patients and raises awareness for Parkinson's disease in the Middle East
The event is aimed to connect Parkinson's patients and raise awareness about the disease
Under the patronage of Sheikh Majid Bin Rashid Al Mulla The "Walk with Parkinson's" event, the first of its kind in the Gulf countries and the Middle East took place in Dubai. The event, organized by the Kings College Hospital London, Dubai, Parkinson's Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid University Hospital College, Government of Dubai, University of Dubai, and Emirates Parkinson's Association, UAE, aimed to connect Parkinson's patients and raise awareness about the disease.
The Kings College Hospital London, Dubai, Parkinson's Centre of Excellence, which is the first comprehensive and interdisciplinary Parkinson's Centre of Excellence in the Middle East and North Africa, played a vital role in coordinating an event called "Connecting Communities, I am the first, you are the next, come & Test, Emirati Parkinson's genome campaign." This center caters to more than 600 patients with Parkinson's disease and started with only one patient in 2020. It has since grown to become a referral center for Parkinson's and other movement disorders, impacting both physical movements and cognitive abilities, not only in the UAE but also across the MENA region.
The event aimed to increase awareness about Parkinson's disease in the UAE, where there is currently a lack of awareness about the condition. Furthermore, it supports the government's National Genomic Campaign, which seeks to encourage genetic testing to identify why Emiratis are developing Parkinson's at a young age.
The Kings College Hospital London, Dubai, Parkinson's Centre of Excellence is also leading the Emirati Parkinson's Genome campaign, which received a grant from the government of Dubai. The campaign aims to identify a culprit gene that is causing Parkinson's disease in Emiratis at a young age, with the hope that this research will lead to a cure for Parkinson's.
Dr Vinod Metta, Parkinson’s & movement disorders specialist kings college hospital London, Dubai, leading the campaign along with his team Professor Ray, Prof Guy Chung-Faye, Prof Hani, Professor Tom Loney stated Parkinson’s disease in Emirates & Arab world unlike western countries at very young age, early 30s, in part cause for this is genetic component which we along with MBRU, testing to trace this culprit gene if in case we find , gene therapies ( currently under trials) potential cure for this horrific condition.
"We are pleased with the success of the 'Walk with Parkinson's' event and the opportunity it provided for Parkinson's patients in the UAE to connect and raise awareness about the disease," said Dr Vinod Metta, Kings College Hospital London, Dubai, Parkinson's Centre of Excellence. "We hope that this event will inspire further action towards improving the lives of Parkinson's patients in the UAE and contribute to the ongoing research to find a cure for Parkinson's disease."
Sheikh Majid Bin Rashid Al Mualla commended the entire team behind the Parkinson’s Center of Excellence at Kings College Dubai, with a special mention for Dr. Vinod Metta who led the campaign. Additionally, he expressed gratitude towards the Friends of Parkinson’s UAE for their involvement and thanked the University of Dubai for hosting the event.