Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, and President of Dubai Health Authority, Hamdan Medical Award is to launch a 5 -day awareness campaign on the Rare Diseases Day under the slogan "Solidarity", on the occasion of the Rare Diseases Day on 29 of February 2012.
Dr. Fatima Bastaki Consultant Pediatrics and Clinical Genetics and head of the campaign’s Organizing Committee said that the Award will hold a ceremony, next Saturday, on the stage of the Children's City at Creek Park, Dubai, attending by health sectors’ officials and children with Rare Diseases.
"On the sidelines of the ceremony, an exhibition of hand-made products, for the children of Sheikha Maitha Bint Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Special Needs in Hatta, will be held. Also, the ceremony will be concluded with a Motorcycle March, taking off from the main gate of the children’s city at Greek Park", she added.
"Starting from next Sunday, the campaign’s activities will be held at certain shopping malls in Dubai. A group of volunteers, led by specialized doctors, will explain to the attendees the types of Rare Diseases, and the importance of Early Detection", Dr. Bastaki said.
On the other hand, Prof. Najeeb Al Khaja, Secretary General of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, said that the Award is keen to organize such campaigns, with the aim of confronting to the spread of dangerous diseases and improving healthcare services.
"There are more than 6000 Rare Diseases around the world. 80% of them are of Genetic Origins, and 50% of them infect the children. Light should be shed on the seriousness of Rare Diseases, the importance of Early Detection and the ways of supporting patients with these kinds of diseases", Al Khaja said.
"Due to lack medical research on such Diseases, a lot of Rare Diseases are still difficult to be diagnosed. Their causes and symptoms are difficult to be identified. Even the drugs are very expensive", Al Khaja added.
