A multidisciplinary approach to care

This    Department    is    essentially    geared    towards    the      treatment of  thalassemic  patients. Thalassemia is a genetically inherited blood disease, found in many countries around the world, particularly in people of Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern and Asian origin. There are two types of Thalassemia: Thalassemia Trait and Thalassemia Major. The first one is not a disease, it is a transmissible recessive trait which could lead to Thalassemia Major if it is associated to a second recessive gene carried by the spouse.That is why prevention at this level is so important.

Thalassemia Major is a serious inherited disease belonging to the hemoglobinopathies category. It is a serious anemia that usually starts at 3 months to 2 years of age. Treatment of Thalassemia Major requires frequent blood transfusions and an almost continuous infusion of a special medicine to freeze up the iron level in the blood. This treatment is a burden both on the patient and on his family, this is why a multidisciplinary approach is required.

Due to the fact that the treatment of Thalassemia might possibly stress the patient since this disease is still not well understood by the public at large, the Chronic Care Center offers young thalassemics a multidisciplinary approach through a team of specialized doctors, two nurse educators, a social worker and a psychologist. The patient education and his psycho-social orientations provide the main link between proper medical treatment and regular ongoing follow ups. This approach secures the supervision of both the patient and his family. It also successfully helps them accept the disease and manage it in a healthy and positive way.

Specialists available on site include:
• Hematologists
• Endocrinologists
• A Cardiologist
• A Geneticist
• An Ophthalmologist
• A Dentist
• Nurse educators
• A Psychologist
• A Dietitian
• Social workers
• Laboratory Medicine
• Laboratory Technicians
• Research Assistants