“EDUCATIONAL COMPETITION AMONG STUDENTS IN THE UAE IS BOUND TO RAISE AWARENESS” – YOUSEF KHOORY

UAE THALASSEMIA CASES COULD RISE TO ONE MILLION ACCORDING TO HEALTH OFFICIALS

In a move to support the fight against the crippling blood disorder thalassemia, leading watch and jewellery group, Mohammed Rasool Khoory and Sons, are sponsoring the Emirates Thalassemia Society’s (ETS) effort to raise awareness about the disease among school and university students across the UAE.

The ‘What is Thalassemia’ competition 2012 being organised by the Society, aims to create awareness among society and educate students in the UAE about thalassemia, a blood disorder that affects a disproportionately large number of people in the UAE.

“Thalassemia is an extremely serious problem in the UAE,” said Yousef Khoory, CEO of Mohammed Rasool Khoory and Sons. “According to research, thalassemia affects as many as 1 in 12 individuals in the UAE, which makes it imperative to increase our efforts to combat this debilitating condition.”

Mr Khoory noted that the Emirates Thalassemia Society has been doing commendable work in spreading awareness about thalassemia among society and aiding efforts to combat the disease and its effects. We are glad to be able to help in any way to this noble cause.

Being held for the fourth year in a row, the contest open to school and university students, aims to educate children about the dangers posed by the disease and means of combating it. Prizes are on offer to those entries that show the greatest creativity in devising programmes and plans to limit the spread and effect of thalassemia.


Thalassemia is a major public health issue in the UAE, which affects so many families at social, medical and psychological levels. The disease has a high prevalence among UAE nationals and the numbers of patients of this genetic disorder are expected to go up to one million according to health officials.

The Thalassemia Centre said that approximately 600,000 people in the Emirates currently are carriers of the disease. Thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the number of normal blood cells in the body. If two carriers have children, the likelihood of each child developing the disease is 25 per cent.

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BIZ COM - For PRoactive Communications

BIZ COM - For PRoactive Communications
P.O. Box 48889; Dubai – UAE

This release was published on openPR.