The Minister of Health and Prevention reported that over 39,000 people are registered as organ donors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and more than 1,195 transplant procedures have been carried out under the national organ donation program, noted on World Organ Donation Day.
Ahmed Ali Al Saegh stated that these figures indicate growing public trust and increased awareness of the transplantation and donation system in the UAE.
According to the minister, the UAE ranks first among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in terms of the growth rate of donors and the number of transplants performed. He also noted that the Hayat program has become one of the fastest-growing of its kind globally.
Al Saegh emphasized that the 'Hayat' program embodies the UAE's vision to create a world-leading healthcare system based on innovation, sustainability, and the use of advanced technologies to improve people's quality of life.
The increase in registered donors is occurring against the backdrop of expanded transplant services and the UAE's efforts to encourage more members of society to consider organ donation. Minister Al Saegh noted that reaching the milestone of over 39,000 registered donors reflects growing awareness among residents, as well as increasing trust in the country's healthcare and transplantation system.
He added that every successful transplant has an impact that extends beyond the patient. According to him, 'every organ transplant gives an entire family a renewed sense of hope and greater stability, improves their quality of life, and reflects the values of solidarity upon which UAE society is founded.'
Al Saegh called on more citizens to join the Hayat program, pointing out that organ donation embodies the values of generosity and human solidarity. He also explained that expanding the donor pool will help the UAE strengthen its transplantation system and support patients who might otherwise wait years for a suitable organ.
The minister added that the progress of the Hayat program aligns with the broader healthcare goals of the UAE within the 'We Are UAE 2031' concept, which aims to build a healthcare system focused on long-term health and the quality of life of the population. He also linked the program's impact to Family Day in the UAE, noting that the benefits of transplantation extend not only to patients but also to their families and communities.
Many parents mistakenly believe that children should continue taking vitamin D and calcium for a long time; however, the need for these supplements is individual and depends on the child's age, diet, sun exposure, and overall health condition.
The decision on how much vitamin D to give an infant after birth and for how long must be made solely based on a doctor's recommendation. The risk of vitamin D deficiency is higher in newborns and young children, especially those who do not receive breast milk; such children are prescribed vitamin supplements after consulting with a doctor. Although special attention is paid to the needs in the first months of life, the duration of intake is determined by the child's general health status.
Vitamin D functions not only to strengthen bones but also helps the body absorb calcium. If there is a deficiency of vitamin D, even if calcium is present in the child's diet, its benefits will not be fully realized. The need for calcium persists throughout the entire growth period and increases with age. Nevertheless, this does not mean that all children require additional calcium tablets; if the child regularly consumes milk, yogurt, or cheese, supplementary intake may not be necessary.
Dr. Rahul Verma, Associate Director of the Pediatric Department at Yashoda Medicity Hospital, commented on this issue. He stated that it is recommended to give the child 400 IU of vitamin D daily from birth to one year of age. After this, the dosage can be increased as necessary based on clinical examinations and blood tests.
Parents should avoid self-prescribing vitamin D or calcium supplements for a long period, as excessive consumption of supplements can also be harmful. If the child exhibits signs such as frequent bone pain, weakness, muscle problems, slowed growth, or malnutrition, they should consult a doctor.
Dr. Rahul Verma emphasized that instead of relying solely on supplements, it is crucial to pay attention to a balanced diet, age-appropriate physical activity, and sufficient sun exposure. The decision regarding the necessity of supplements and the duration of the course must be made by a pediatrician, based on the specific needs of the child.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown folding of beta-amyloid filaments associated with an extremely rare form of Alzheimer's disease. This structure potentially explains why the protein concentrates around blood vessels and is linked to cerebral hemorrhages.
The study analyzed brain tissues from two patients who had the Flemish mutation in the precursor gene for beta-amyloid (APP). This mutation was identified in two families and two other individuals, typically leading to death by the late fifties.
The researchers examined the brain samples of these two patients after their deaths. Both belonged to known families with this form of dementia.
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was used to visualize the filaments—a method that allows observation of structures at near atomic resolution. The result showed a specific Z-shaped configuration that had not been previously identified.
The geometry of this structure may play an important role in understanding protein behavior, as the filaments tend to aggregate around blood vessels. The folding makes the amino acid F20 accessible. According to the researchers, this feature may contribute to the contact of the filaments with the components of vessel walls.
This is where one of the most serious consequences of the disease manifests—Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA). This condition involves the deposition of beta-amyloid in the vessels and causes brain hemorrhages.
The cause of this structure's formation was also determined. The Flemish mutation removes one methyl group from beta-amyloid at residue 21. This change apparently promotes the formation of the Z-shaped folding. The researchers noted: 'Our results show how the loss of one methyl group at residue 21 leads to Aβ-folding with vascular tropism.'
There is an interesting aspect to this mechanism: previous studies demonstrated that beta-amyloid produced by the mutation has a lower tendency to aggregate in laboratory settings. Nevertheless, when deposits appear in the brain, the damage can be as intense as in traditional Alzheimer's disease.
In living organisms, the Flemish mutation causes the formation of the largest and most stable amyloid plaques observed in this disease. The interaction of these structures with blood vessels may help explain their potential to cause harm.
It is not yet clear exactly how this new structure contributes to brain destruction leading to dementia. Future research must investigate this mechanism in cellular and animal models.
Future studies must determine whether the Flemish folding alters the seeding, propagation, or neurotoxicity process in cellular or animal models. It is also necessary to establish whether similar structural principles occur in other hereditary or sporadic forms of Alzheimer's disease.
The Supreme Court issued an order obligating 19 states and union territories of the country to classify cancer as a 'Notifiable Disease.' The court was informed that only 17 out of all states and union territories had included cancer in the list of such diseases, so the remaining regions were directed to maintain official records of the illness.
A Notifiable Disease is a condition whose information is legally required for hospitals, doctors, and laboratories to provide to the government or health authorities. In India, this list includes dengue fever, malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS, and other diseases for which statistical data is collected.
According to an MR report, 1,461,427 new cases of cancer were registered in India in 2023, and this figure is growing annually. Maintaining a record of every cancer case is critical for the government to receive accurate data on the total number of patients with this disease.
Imagine a situation where the number of cancer cases sharply increases in one area. This information is recorded in various hospitals and medical institutions and sent to the government. However, if cancer cases are also rising in another state, but the disease is not a 'Notifiable Disease,' it will be difficult for the government to understand the real picture of morbidity in that region. But with accurate data, it is possible to determine which areas are seeing an increase in cancer cases, which types of cancer are more common, and where patients have limited access to diagnosis or treatment. This information can subsequently play a key role in developing cancer-related healthcare programs. The most significant advantage is the ability to implement a unified policy for cancer prevention and screening across the country.
The National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP) already operates in India and plays an important role in understanding trends and patterns of cancer diseases. Nevertheless, it currently provides very limited data. Unified and complete data from all parts of the country are missing, and information about the real situation of cancer in rural areas and many states is restricted. Furthermore, a large number of patients undergo examinations and treatment in private hospitals, diagnostic centers, and pathology laboratories, and information from these institutions is not systematically integrated into the national system.
Geetana Govil, president of the Indian Oncological Society, told Aaj Tak.in that mandatory reporting of cancer cases is necessary for the government to obtain accurate patient statistics. It is also crucial that cancer data is standardized across different states. If cancer registration methods differ between states, comparing statistics between these states becomes difficult. Therefore, a single national system is required, clearly defining what case will be registered, who will provide the information, within what timeframe, and in what format.
Geetana Govil noted that the issue of mandatory directives from the central government, raised by the court, is of great importance. The benefit of notification will increase when we have a unified national system that allows for the comparison of data from different states and makes them compatible, as well as strengthens the National Cancer Registry Program.
The benefit of accurate data will not only be felt by the government. It will directly affect patient medical care. If there is an increased level of a specific type of cancer in any area, then screening and early diagnosis services can be strengthened in that location. Hospitals, diagnostic centers, oncologists, and treatment facilities can be developed according to needs. Similarly, in areas where patients are diagnosed late, priority can be given to awareness and early detection programs.
