Dubai: More than 100 women with financial difficulties have received the full spectrum of breast cancer care thanks to the Dubai Health Authority’s ‘Basmah’ initiative, which was launched in 2019.
The initiative makes Dubai authorities “the first government entity in the world” to provide a complete spectrum of care, from screening to treatment for the three types of cancer (breast, colorectal and cervical cancer) under the essential benefit plan. Before the scheme, cancer coverage was limited to Dh150,000. Now there are no sublimits and coverage is unlimited. Under the initiative, eligible patients are enrolled at Dubai Hospital for their treatment.
‘Don’t ignore symptoms’
Dr Moaza Al Bedwawi, general surgeon at Dubai Hospital and founder of Pink Ride Hope, said: “This initiative is a blessing for patients and also for health care workers as we feel truly grateful to see patients with financial difficulties get complete treatment so that they can be cured and lead a healthy and happy life. However, the one message I strongly advocate, is to educate all community members about the importance of timely diagnosis. Despite all the awareness and initiatives such as the wonderful Basmah programme, we still find that women do not come forward in time. Even when they see symptoms, they often try to ignore it.”
If any LCB worker who has an EBP (essential benefit policy) is diagnosed with any of the three types of cancer under the Basmah programme, the patient is referred to the ‘Cancer Centre of Excellence’ in Dubai Hospital and is enrolled in the Cancer Patient support programme (Cancer PSP) if they meet the eligibility criteria.
In addition to the Basmah initiative, DHA also has a Health Fund Department that coordinates with various charities and patients to help patients with financial difficulties get the treatment in time.
How an expat survived cancer
Rolla Mohammad Ismail, a 47-year-old Jordanian expat living in UAE for the last 42 years, is a cancer survivor. She has been coordinating with the Health Fund Department for her treatment in Dubai. Ismail had two mastectomies, one in 2015 and one in 2019, she is currently cancer free and is continuing her treatment including her hormone medications and regular follow-ups at Dubai hospital.
Ismail is a mother of two boys aged 15 and 16 years. She said: “I went late for diagnosis; I only went when it started to pain me but once I felt the pain I was at the clinic the next day. I was informed I’m already in stage three. Within one week I got a mastectomy done as I did not want to delay my treatment at all. My advice to women is to make sure they get regular health check-ups done and they should follow self-breast examination as well as get a mammogram done once after the age of 40 whether they have symptoms or not. Those with a family history should go earlier.”
“I want to thank all the doctors, the health fund department, all the medical staff and my doctors, Dr Moaza, Dr Isaf and Kaffa, she’s a social worker at Dubai Hospital. She has always been there for me. She is very helpful and treats me with love and positivity.”
