Latest news with #MariamAlDhaen
Daily Tribune
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
MP Pushes Genetic Ethics
TDT | Manama A renewed push to reshape Bahrain's approach to hereditary disease prevention is gaining traction, with MP Dr. Mariam Al Dhaen calling for greater emphasis on genetic ethics, advanced screening, and informed reproductive decision-making in sickle cell care. In her latest remarks, Dr. Al Dhaen urged the government to encourage couples at risk of passing on sickle cell anaemia or beta-thalassemia to undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) as part of assisted reproductive treatments. The procedure, she said, offers a precise method to prevent the transmission of these conditions by selecting healthy embryos before pregnancy. Diagnostic shift Dr. Al Dhaen also raised concerns about the limitations of current premarital screening tools, particularly the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) test, which she said can sometimes yield inaccurate results. 'There have been cases where individuals were told they carried a genetic mutation, but genetic testing proved they did not,' she said, emphasising the need for more accurate diagnostic options. In addition to PGT, Dr. Al Dhaen advocated for using embryo genetic testing and HLA typing to help families with affected children. She explained that selecting a healthy embryo whose tissue matches that of an existing child could pave the way for stem cell or bone marrow treatments using a compatible sibling donor. Emergency reform While praising the 24-hour operation of the Genetic Blood Diseases Center at Salmaniya Medical Complex - a move she described as a 'qualitative leap' for the healthcare system - Dr. Al Dhaen positioned her new proposals as the next phase in national efforts to support patients with genetic blood disorders. She reaffirmed her earlier proposal for dedicated emergency care pathways and specialist consultants for sickle cell patients, noting that swift and focused intervention is crucial given the severity and sudden onset of symptoms. Policy vision Dr. Al Dhaen stressed that genetic health is not only a medical challenge but also a policy responsibility requiring coordinated action among health authorities, lawmakers, and families. She framed her proposals as a call to action to keep Bahrain at the forefront of compassionate and science-driven healthcare. The MP concluded by reiterating that citizens' health remains a top national priority, and that thoughtful, ethical approaches to genetics must play a central role in shaping the Kingdom's healthcare future.
Daily Tribune
15-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Protect Outdoor Workers
TDT | Manama Delivery, fuel staff left exposed • Workers face direct sun exposure • MP urges expanded labour ban • Risks rise amid summer heat Bahraini Member of Parliament Dr Mariam Al Dhaen has called for urgent action to protect groups of workers who remain exposed to extreme summer temperatures despite existing midday work regulations. She urged authorities to expand the midday work ban to include gas station employees and food delivery riders, citing the severe toll of sun exposure and heat stress on their safety and wellbeing. Although Bahrain enforces a midday outdoor work ban from 12 noon to 4pm during summer, it currently applies only to traditional field workers. Dr Al Dhaen argued that gas station attendants and motorcycle-based delivery staff are just as exposed to harsh conditions, if not more so, yet continue to work through peak heat hours. She said delivery riders, in particular, face not only heatstroke risks but also increased chances of traffic accidents due to heat-induced fatigue and loss of focus. Dr Al Dhaen proposed that delivery operations during the midday ban be limited strictly to air-conditioned vehicles. 'This is a humanitarian and legislative responsibility,' she said, highlighting the urgent need to revise the framework to reflect real-world working conditions. She also called on the Ministry of Labour to step up field inspections and enforcement, warning that non-compliance remains a persistent issue despite existing laws. The MP stressed that protecting workers from the health risks of extreme temperatures is part of Bahrain's broader commitment to human rights and social justice. She called for stronger protective policies that align with international labour standards and reflect the Kingdom's stated values. Al Dhaen's appeal comes amid intensifying heat waves across the region, prompting renewed scrutiny of how well labour policies are keeping up with rising environmental and occupational hazards.
