Thalassaemia patients included in the Act

Dubai: People with thalassaemia, a genetic blood disorder, are included in the recently-passed Disability Act, says a top official with the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the ministry, told Gulf News that although thalassaemia sufferers were not mentioned specifically in Law No. 29/2006, they were still covered by the law.

"Thalassaemia is included because some face discrimination and action is needed," he said on the sidelines of the Arab Decade of Disabled Persons 2004 to 2013 roundtable discussion, organised by Takamul.

He added that special committees, to be set up by relevant authorities dealing with health, education, work and entrepreneurship and public services, would carry the message forward.

The inclusion of thalassaemia under the law means that sufferers qualified for the disability job quota in both public and private sectors. Many have reported problems finding employment due to their condition.

Thalassaemia is a life-threatening disorder, characterised by the breakdown of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

To survive, sufferers have to undergo blood transfusions every three weeks, which in turn can cause iron overload in their system unless removed through the iron chelation process.

It is the most common form of genetic disorder in the UAE, affecting about five per cent of the population.