MoF organises recreational activities for children of the DHA Thalassemia Centre

In line with its commitment to strengthening ties between all segments of the UAE society and its role in providing full support for local community organisations; the Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently organised recreational activities for children of the Dubai Health Authority- Thalassemia Centre in its Dubai premises. A number of the Ministry’s staff gladly welcomed the visitors and provided them with care and support during the event.

The main aim behind this initiative was to provide a fun-filled event for the children and to inform members of the UAE society on the symptoms of this disease.Activities included drawing, hand crafts and face painting along with magician’s act. The children also participated in numerous competitive games and were offered gifts.

In addition to the children-focused activities, MoF presented an awareness lecture on Thalassemia for employees from MOF, the General Pension and Social Security Authority and the Federal Customs Authority. The lecture was presented by DrIssam Duheir, Hematology specialist and coordinator of the Thalassemia Center in the Department of Health and Medical Services in Dubai. He informed the attendees on the disease, its symptoms, causes of its spreading, seriousness of the disease and the ways to aid those diagnosed with thalassemia. Moreover, he emphasised the importance of early disease detection.

During the lecture, Dr Duheir clarified the importance of spreading awareness on thalassemia across the UAE community and introduced the preventative steps to decrease the likelihood of obtaining the infection. He stressed that couples planning to get marriedshould conduct all necessary medical tests to prevent the spread of this disease from one generation to the next.

MoF, in collaboration with local humanitarian organisations and institutions, recently organised a series of charitable activities and community events. The most recent one was inviting orphans from Dar Zayed for Family and members of the Environment Friends Society to its Annual Ramadan event for staff.