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Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the major life sciences hub in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments, in conjunction with its business partner UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA), organised a voluntary blood screening drive for all TECOM employees to check against commonly inherited blood disorders.

The initiative aimed to support the National Health campaign ‘Emirates Free of Thalassemia 2012’, the first project of UAEGDA. Established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the nation-wide campaign was launched by Dr. Maryam Matar, Executive Director of the UAEGDA.

Dr. Maryam Matar said: “The UAEGDA has been able to considerably reduce the impact of common genetic disorders prevalent in the country through its community outreach programs, health education, counselling and free screening tests. We thank the government and corporate groups such as TECOM Investments in supporting and increasing awareness among people.

“UAEGDA now has a free genetic clinic and a state-of-the-art screening facility supervised by internationally renowned experts. UAEGDA has been conducting free screening for students studying in various colleges and universities across the country. With the introduction of mobile units, screening has been extended to remote areas and to corporate groups.”

Dr Marco Bacanti, Executive Director of DuBiotech, said: “DuBiotech and the entire TECOM Investments family endorse the fight against inherited blood disorders and as a group we are pleased to have the opportunity to help bring greater awareness to the programme. The impressive number of employees from all of TECOM’s entities who came to support the campaign reflects a sense of solidarity towards the community and willingness to make a difference to mankind.”

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by defective production of hemoglobin, leading to low production and over-destruction of red blood cells. The clinical severity of thalassemia varies greatly depending on the exact nature of the genes that a person inherits. The severe type of thalassemia is terrible and debilitating disorder to live with.

TECOM Investments remains committed to community outreach programmes that contribute to alleviating debilitating disorders which profoundly impact the quality of life and the society at large. The organisation’s biannual blood donation drives, which receive an overwhelming participation from its employees, ensure a sustained supply to blood banks in Dubai.

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