The 62-year-old Sudanese patient, Abu Yasser, has been suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia (leukemia) for 19 years.
According to Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, he needs a specific medication that helps him stabilize his health condition, which costs 17,874 dirhams per month.
The patient appealed to those with white hands to help him pay the price of the medicine, to ease his suffering with his incurable disease, because he is unable to pay the exorbitant costs of his treatment, given his difficult living conditions.
The patient, Abu Yasser, told Emirates Today that he had lived in the country for many years, and that he lived in the capital, Abu Dhabi, at the beginning of his working years, and then moved to work in Al Ain, and his life was moving at a stable pace, but he suffered from a health problem nearly 19 years ago. As a result, his condition deteriorated greatly, which necessitated his admission to Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, where he underwent medical examinations and analyzes, the results of which showed that he had chronic myelogenous leukemia.
He said, “I was given medication at the beginning of my treatment, and I continued to take it for eight years, and the health insurance card covered all treatment costs.”
He added: «My health condition has stabilized after taking the medications, so the doctor advised me to continue taking them to ensure that the disease does not worsen, but the health insurance card has stopped covering medical costs since the beginning of this year, noting that the cost of medicines is very expensive, as it amounts to 17 thousand and 874 dirhams per month. This amount is much greater than my modest financial capabilities.
The patient added that philanthropists and charitable institutions helped him purchase his medicines during the past months, pointing out his fear that he would not be able to manage their value during the coming months.
He said, “My financial capabilities are very poor, and they do not allow me to afford the cost of the medicines I need.”
Abu Yasser explained that he worked as a bus driver in a university in the country, but the university administration terminated his services at the end of last year because of his advanced age.
He said: «I do not have another source of income at the present time, as I live on the aid that I get from friends and charitable people, and I do not know what to do in light of the circumstances that I am going through, knowing that I have previously submitted requests for assistance to charitable societies and institutions, but I did not receive a response. I appeal to good people and people with kind hearts to help me with my monthly treatment costs.”
The medical report issued by Sheikh Khalifa Medical City indicates that the patient has been suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia since 2001, and needs medication (Imatinib) on a monthly basis for life, to stabilize his health condition, while its monthly cost is 17,874 dirhams.
The disease begins in the bone marrow, spreads to other parts of the body, and is characterized by a high number of abnormal white blood cells.
Its symptoms are bleeding, bruising, feeling tired, high temperature, and an increased risk of infection.
The disease is diagnosed by blood tests or a biopsy of bone tissue.
Its cause varies according to its type, while genetic factors and environmental conditions play a role in its infection.
There are factors that increase the chance of it occurring, such as smoking, ionizing radiation, and some chemicals.
There are four main types of leukemia: chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia. There are other uncommon types.
2023-07-09 22:08:43
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