Special Features
The Emirates Arthritis Foundation
The purpose of the Emirates Arthritis Foundation is to acknowledge the need to increase awareness and education about arthritis in the region.Across the world, musculoskeletal conditions affect hundreds of millions of people, at a huge cost to society. In the Middle East alone, there are thousands of people who are afflicted with some form of musculoskeletal ailment. However, there is a general lack of awareness about arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases in the region.
In a recent study of 50 patients with inflammatory arthritis at Dubai Bone and Joint Center (DBAJ), we found that an overwhelming majority of patients had a delay in diagnosis, several were not taking appropriate treatment and many were deformed or disabled.
The average age of these patients was only 43 years. If these patients had sought medical attention early, they could have continued working and making useful contributions to society. Disability from arthritis causes major economic loss and can have a profound impact on families. Hence, there is a great need to raise awareness and educate the public and healthcare providers about arthritis.
Objectives:
In affiliation with Dubai Bone and Joint Center, the Emirates Arthritis Foundation (EAF) will be focused on raising awareness of arthritis and educating the public, as well as healthcare providers about arthritis.
The development of the foundation is an important component of DBAJ’s commitment to the prevention of musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. Besides education and awareness building, there will be an element of fund raising to help less fortunate patients pay for expensive treatments.
-Patient education on the prevention and treatment for arthritis
-Establish community programming and provider coordination
-Establish an endowment for less privileged patients to receive premium health care services.
This year the Foundation has been recognized internationally by affiliation with the:
-Canadian Arthritis Network
-PARE (People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe), the patient led organization of the EULAR group
The CAN is one of North America’s premier research centres and an organization which allows the consumer (the informed arthritis patient) to have a say in what research should be undertaken, and where consumers are invited to attend meetings with the healthcare policy makers in Canada.
PARE, a patient-led organization with representatives from all European countries, also works with their local government and policy makers to address issues faced by the person living with arthritis.
