NEWSLETTER - JULY

ISSUE 01 | 07.31.2023

MENA Organization for Rare Diseases Annual Meeting & Exhibition 2024 will be held in Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Dubai from 1 to 4 February 2024. This conference is the largest event for rare diseases in the region. More than 120 distinguished speakers will participate, and more than 1000 attendees are expected. The exhibition will allow more than 50 entities involved in rare diseases to communicate directly with attendees.

Participation in conferences

Recent collaborations

Endorsement of the forum: Illuminating the Future by Non-Invasive Perinatal Testing (NIPT)

MENA Organization for Rare Diseases endorsed the forum Illuminating the Future: Non-Invasive Perinatal Testing (NIPT) that took place in Jumeirah Emirates Tower in Dubai on 21 and 22 June 2023. This forum aimed to expand knowledge and provide valuable insights into this ground-breaking approach to prenatal screening using the non-invasive perinatal testing (NIPT).

Gilani Mobility 


The management team of MENA Organization for Rare Diseases, Dr. Ayman El-Hattab and Engineer Mais Kanaan had the pleasure to visit Gilani Mobility's state-of-the-art facility in Dubai. Gilani Mobility, originally founded in Australia, has brought its expertise in mobility aids to the Middle East, serving the entire region with top-quality products and services including assistive technology, mobility aids, driving solutions, wheelchair accessible vehicles, and much more. 

Educational platforms

Launching of an educational YouTube channel

MENA Organization for Rare Diseases has taken a significant step towards its mission to educate and spread knowledge about rare diseases by starting a YouTube channel. This channel is designed to be a rich repository of educational material, knowledge, and advocacy for rare diseases. One of the key features of the YouTube channel is the vast collection of over 80 lectures from the conference the MENA Organization for Rare Diseases Annual Meeting 2023.

Introducing Rare Disease Support Groups

In pursuit of its mission to bring together individuals impacted by rare diseases, MENA Organization for Rare Diseases has unveiled an innovative online platform - Rare Disease Support Groups. This groundbreaking website enables patients, caregivers, families, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and others involved in rare diseases to connect and join disease-specific groups.

Social engagement and community outreach

Anniversary 

The members of the MENA Organization for Rare Diseases have celebrated on 15 June 2023 the first anniversary of establishing the MENA Organization for Rare Diseases. MENA Organization for Rare Diseases was established on June 2022 in Dubai to serve and support people with rare diseases in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Our goals are to educate and spread awareness about rare diseases, connect patients and healthcare provides to exchange knowledge and experience, and support people with rare diseases and their families. 

محاضرة في مجلس حتا لأهالي أصحاب الهمم

قدمت الدكتورة فداء ذياب، رئيسة قسم دعم أهالي أصحاب الهمم والأمراض النادرة بجمعية الأمراض النادرة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا، محاضرة في مجلس حتا لأهالي أصحاب الهمم في منطقه حتا يوم الاثنين الموافق 5-6-2023. وكانت المحاضرة بعنوان "ملهمتي روضه" عرضت خلالها الدكتورة فداء تجربتها كأم لطفلة لديها مرض نادر يسمى متلازمة انجلمان. ولقد حضر الندوة عدد من أهالي أصحاب الهمم ومعلمات التربية الخاصة. وقد أثنى الحضور على الدور الفعال التي تقوم به جمعية الأمراض النادرة في الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا، وبالأخص قسم دعم أهالي أصحاب الهمم والأمراض النادرة برأسه الدكتورة فداء ذياب حيث يهدف هذا القسم لتثقيف وتوعية الأهالي في كيفية التعامل مع أبنائهم من أصحاب الهمم والأمراض النادرة للتخفيف من الصعوبات ومواجهة التحديات التي تعترضهم


Media partners

Did you know that 8 out of 10 rare diseases are of genetic origin?

Rare Child

Rowda was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome which is a rare genetic disorder affecting cognition and motor functions. However, this segment focuses on the child beyond their disability. Rowda is a bright 16-year-old girl that has a love for computers. She gets unbelievably excited as she logs on YouTube to watch her favourite shows and songs! She also enjoys swimming and loves to be near water. Although she cannot speak, her family is able to understand most of her needs as she expresses herself through her actions.