VIDEO: Iraqi baby Laveen receives gene therapy worth Dhs8 million in Dubai
- Last updated: March 4, 2021 | 13:43
Iman Abdullah Al Ali, Staff Reporter
Iraqi baby Laveen Ibrahim received the injection for her rare disease spinal muscular atrophy at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai.
The hospital said, “Today, lovely baby Laveen received a successful gene treatment for SMA, from our experts at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital. Our prayers for a speedy recovery for baby Laveen and all our children.
Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai on Wednesday revealed that it received the world’s most expensive gene therapy that had been ordered for the Laveen Ibrahim.
This was after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai had undertaken to provide the medical treatment for Laveen who is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy.
Laveen was diagnosed with Stage II Spinal Muscular Dystrophy (SMA), a genetic disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and voluntary muscle movement (skeletal muscle).
Without that one–time life-saving injection that can cure her SMA and reverse the symptoms, her condition would have seriously deteriorated, according to competent medical reports.
Laveen is expected to receive the injection on Thursday morning, and she will be subject to observation round the clock. The rehabilitation programme will continue for three months.
It will include rehabilitation sessions, physical therapy, laboratory analyses to follow-up developments of the child's health condition and monitor the therapy’s effects.
Dr Mohammad Al Awadi, Executive Director of Operations, confirmed that the injection arrived on Wednesday, and the toddler Laveen would receive the injection on Thursday (March 4, 2021).
He also noted that Laveen’s case is the sixth to receive this injection at hospital.
“She will subject to integrated treatment and rehabilitation for three months,” he added.
The girl’s mother had posted a video to Sheikh Mohammed, in which she asked him to provide for the treatment of her daughter in Al Jalila Hospital in Dubai.
She said that her child was suffering from a rare disease and muscle atrophy that may reach the bronchi and turn her into a doll.
Linking her appeal to Sheikh Mohammed to the Hope Probe, the mother said: “I arrived in the UAE when the Hope probe reached Mars. I hope that you can meet my need.”
The generous Dubai Ruler has always stands up for humanitarian situation.
In June 2020, Sheikh Mohammed covered the expenses of a surgery of an Indian child in Dubai.
Pritvik Sinhad, 15, who was suffering from kidney failure.
Sheikh Mohammed sent a message to Pritvik.
He said, “To my dear Pritvik, this is a small gesture from me to you to remind you that you are here at home and that you are in safe hands, and I will pray to God to keep you in good health and safe… keep smiling little warrior.”
The message was accompanied by a bouquet of flowers and a personal gift.
Pritvik said that the gesture of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid means a lot to him.
He said, “The message of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid and his human gesture mean a lot to me. It has given me the patience to endure the pain of illness and has motivated me to complete the treatment. The UAE always supports all its residents, extends a helping hand and gives human health a priority.”
Pritvik continued, “Thanks to His Highness for his generosity and for this initiative, which means a lot to me, and I will strive to return the favour to the UAE. Despite my health suffering, I was keen to complete my research in the field of science, until I became in an urgent need of kidney transplantation. My suffering was transferred to my colleagues and to my teachers, and to other people, until the matter reached His Highness, who did not hesitate to support me. The initiative has motivated me to continue in the field of science.”
Sinhad Pritvik’s mother, stated that her son is suffering from kidney failure and that his father is undergoing the necessary tests to make sure of his ability to donate his kidney to him.
The operation is expected to take place during the coming period in the Jalila Hospital at expenses of Sheikh Mohammed and the hospital.
“This is a great generosity from Sheikh Mohammed and from the health bodies in the UAE,” she added.
She continued, “The support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid means a lot to me and to my family. It has given us a hope that our son will recover, and will be able to restore his ability to resume his life in a normal way, especially after the circumstances that I went through due to the coronavirus pandemic affected my family and me greatly, and that the travel restrictions prevented my husband from returning to the UAE.”