Jordanian boy in UAE needs Dhs10.6m for lifesaving gene treatment

Caught between a race against time and a family’s unwavering hope, Zaid Mohammed Ibrahimi stands before a life-changing opportunity. While Duchenne muscular dystrophy continues gradually to ravage his muscles, gene therapy remains the last hope to halt its progression.

However, its cost of Dhs10.6 million presents a significant obstacle for the family, who are appealing to philanthropists and humanitarian organizations for assistance in saving their child before he loses all treatment chances.

Ten-year-old Zaid, a Jordanian boy living in the UAE, no longer dreams of running or playing like his peers as his only wish now is for his illness to stop ravaging his young body day by day.

Every morning, Zaid wakes up to a new battle against Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which gradually weakens his muscles, restricts his movement and, in its advanced stages, threatens his ability to breathe, while his family is helpless, unable to afford the cost of treatment.

Zaid Mohammed Ibrahimi poses for a photograph.

Amid this pain, Zaid’s mother launched a humanitarian appeal to people of goodwill, benefactors and charitable organizations, hoping to save her child before his last chance for treatment is lost, stressing that doctors recommended that he quickly receive Elevidys, a gene therapy that is one of the latest treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The drug can limit the progression of the disease and preserve what remains of Zaid’s muscular abilities if given in a timely manner.

The disease is beginning to take its toll on her son’s life, as he is gradually losing his ability to move and his muscles are continuing to weaken day after day, Zaid’s mother said.

The treatment costs Dhs10.6 million, an amount that exceeds the capability of the family, who no longer have anything left but to cling to hope in the hearts of benefactors, she added.

Time was no longer on her child’s side, as he needed to receive treatment before reaching the age of eleven in order to achieve the desired results, she said, noting that every day that passed meant a new decline in his health condition and reduced his chances of benefiting from the treatment.

Exhausted by fear for her child, Zaid’s mother appealed to generous people inside and outside the country as well as to charitable organizations to contribute to providing the cost of treatment, stressing that every contribution, no matter how small, could be a reason for saving Zaid’s life and giving him a new opportunity to live his childhood away from pain.