Business & Finance Club - Dubai : The UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAEGDA), the sole non-profit genetic organisation in the UAE, is on track to achieve its “UAE Free from Thalassemia 2012” initiative, it said in a statement.

The target looks quite achievable to eliminate births of children born with the genetic blood disease within the next two years, it added.

The organisation recently held a free blood screening drive for its employees to screen them for the most commonly inherited blood genetic disorders, in association with National Bonds Corporation.

Regularly organised screening drives help to increase an individual’s awareness on the health risks posed by genetic blood disorders, which can be passed from one generation to the other, the statement said.

Dr Maryam Matar, founder and chairman of UAEGDA, said that genetic blood diseases like thalassemia are highly prevalent in the UAE but can be addressed with a simple and inexpensive blood test as a primary solution in helping to reduce the presence of hereditary diseases in the country.

“We are confident that with the rapid increase in the activities of our organization and with all the awareness events organized by UAEGDA across the country, we can make the UAE free of thalassemia by 2012,” added Dr Matar.

Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, CEO of National Bonds Corporation, said: “By offering our employees UAEGDA’s free and confidential voluntary tests, we can ensure their own wellbeing as well as that of future generations.”

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, counseling and free screening tests, according to the statement.