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First of its kind treatment of beta thalassemia rolled out in Egypt
Oscar Delgado, General Manager of the Middle East & Africa, Bristol Myers Squibb, said that the company is proud to introduce the first of its kind medicine in Egypt for treating beta thalassemia – which is a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin.
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells.
He said the company is deeply interested in rolling out innovative medicines that help patients confront dangerous diseases, adding that the company seeks to secure these drugs in Egypt.
He said the introduction of beta thalassemia medicine in Egypt represents will give hope for patients and their families.
According to the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), about 56,000 children are born with Thalassaemia annually. In Egypt, 1,000 children in each 1.5 million children are born annually with Thalassaemia.
About 9 to 10 percent of Egyptians are suffering from this disease and about 10,0000 patients of various ages are under treatment.
For her part, Mona Hamdy, Professor of Pediatric Hematology of Cairo University, said the Egyptian government has exerted strenuous efforts over the past years to secure precise data about Thalassaemia patients.
Egypt was among the first countries in the region to get this new medicine, she said, noting that the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and, local healthcare authorities, including the Egyptian Drug Authority and the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement, and leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, will play a key role in building a strong healthcare sector and ensuring that Egyptians would have access to innovative medicines.
Within this context, Oscar Delgado commended the swift development of the Egyptian healthcare sector that contributed to accelerating several reforms, topped by comprehensive health coverage which was one of the main goals of the Egypt Vision 2030.
As Egypt is one of the most densely-populated countries, the company is deeply interested in enhancing cooperation with the Egyptian government and local partners to promote the healthcare sector and improve patients’ conditions in Egypt, he concluded.
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