In the framework of the association’s preventive and awareness efforts, and in recognition of its social responsibility and community role towards patients with thalassemia and hereditary hemolytic anemia, the University of Science and Technology organized its annual awareness and humanitarian program this week to support patients and combat these chronic diseases. The program included numerous awareness and speech activities, as well as a charitable bazaar, organized by third-year students of the Laboratory Department and the university’s Student Activities Department, running over a full week.
The events were graciously attended by the university leadership, including:
- Prof. Adel Al-Mutawakkil, University President
- Prof. Abdullah Al-Mikhlafi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
- Prof. Mahdi Al-Qarwani, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (Students Branch)
- Prof. Abdul Habib Al-Qabati, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (Students Branch)
- Prof. Suzanne Al-Harwi, Dean of the Female Students Branch
Several speeches were delivered during the activities, including one by Prof. Abdullah Al-Mikhlafi, who highlighted the university’s scientific, practical, and social responsibility roles, emphasizing that organizing such annual events is part of the university’s commitment to addressing these community issues. He expressed hope that everyone would adopt the cause of patients with thalassemia and hereditary hemolytic anemia and feel responsible for supporting them, whether through financial aid or awareness efforts aimed at preventing these diseases.
To clarify aspects of the diseases, Dr. Mukhtar Ismail, Director of the Thalassemia and Hereditary Hemolytic Anemia Care Center, and Mr. Saleh Al-Asimi, Administrative Board Member of the association, presented two awareness lectures about these diseases, their modes of transmission, symptoms, complications, and prevention methods. They stressed the importance of premarital medical testing, counseling, and choosing a suitable life partner to ensure a healthy society free from hereditary hemolytic anemia. They called on everyone to champion this cause and transfer awareness from lecture halls to the broader community, emphasizing the need to support patients medically, socially, and psychologically to overcome the disease and its complications.
Prof. Suzanne Al-Harwi, Dean of the Female Students Branch, expressed gratitude to the association for its ongoing efforts in combating these diseases and caring for patients. She called on various official authorities to pay attention to this important issue and enact necessary legislation to raise community awareness and mandate premarital medical examinations. She also highlighted the need to educate legal guardians on the dangers of neglecting these tests.
The awareness activities included diverse segments that were well-received by all participants.
The awareness and humanitarian week concluded today, Thursday, February 25, 2021, with a blood donation campaign benefiting patients with thalassemia and hereditary hemolytic anemia. The campaign took place at the College of Administrative Sciences square – University of Science and Technology – in coordination and cooperation with the National Blood Transfusion and Research Center under the supervision of its Technical Director, Dr. Adnan Al-Hakimi.
