Health: Ramadan alert for sickle cell patients – Gulf Digital News

Health: Ramadan alert for sickle cell patients – Gulf Digital News

PEOPLE suffering hereditary blood diseases, particularly Sickle Cell Anaemia, are being advised not to fast during Ramadan as it could endanger their lives.

Sickle cell disease, which is common in the region, is characterised by abnormal blood cells that take on a rigid, sickle-like shape. Sufferers are at risk for a variety of acute and chronic health issues, including infection, sickle cell crisis attacks and stroke.

Many sufferers passionately want to participate as fasting is considered by believers as a way to bring them closer to God but Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care president Zakareya Al Kadhem urged people to follow medical advice and not to feel they were letting anyone down.

“If a doctor has told a patient that he or she cannot fast, they should strictly follow the instructions, or else it is haram (forbidden by Islam),” he said.

Addressing the community beyond Bahrain as the chairman of the international organisation Amplify Sickle Cell Voices International, Mr Al Kadhem warned fellow-patients of the dangers of dehydration, which he predicted would be challenging as the holy month coincides with the start of summer in Bahrain.

Mr Al Kadhem

“Ramadan is a holy time leading to festivities, it is time of togetherness and