The Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation (SHF), an Abu Dhabi based entity dedicated to investing in the future of the UAE and its people, will host a ‘Muntada’ talk titled Resilience: #LifewithMS to raise awareness about the disease, which has affected the lives of millions of people globally. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) requires solid awareness, as those affected with the life-long disease often feel neglected and choose to hide their condition, rather than face reality.

The Muntada programme, to be held on Monday at Manarat Al Saadiyat, not only demonstrates a solidarity with World MS Day, which takes place on 31st May, 2017, but also serves as a platform for sharing new ideas that stimulate creative thinking, active debate and learning across the UAE’s multinational community.

Through facilitating access to the inspirational ideas of the world’s most engaging speakers and influential thought leaders, Muntada seeks to motivate people in the UAE to take positive action in their own lives.

Resilience: #LifewithMS will bring together representatives from the medical field, non-profit organisations and those living with MS in an engaging forum designed to raise awareness, provide practical help to patients and encourage all those affected by the condition to be optimistic in their methods for overcoming the daily challenges of life with MS.

Meera Al Mutawa, health programme coordinator at the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, said it is all about raising awareness about the condition.

“Creating higher levels of public awareness of MS – and providing a platform for the discussion of up-to-date information for MS patients, their families and medical professionals – is an important step towards building a stronger network for people living with MS in the UAE,” said Al Mutawa.

Al Mutawa pointed out that there is an estimated number of 2.3 million MS sufferers worldwide. “Driving dialogue about the challenges of life with the condition is part of the Foundation’s wider commitment to supporting UAE-based patients, carers and their families affected by the condition.”

“Through our joint funded Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi MS Programme, we support the provision of multidisciplinary care from diagnosis to treatment and long-term management, specifically focused on addressing the physical, emotional and rehabilitation needs through a team-based approach.”

MS is not curable, but manageable

“MS is not curable, but can be managed, and we can help the patient reduce the intensity of his or her illness, as well as the frequency of attacks,” said Dr Atta G.A. Alkhaznaji, specialist in neurology at Burjeel Hospital. “MS therapy will help to reduce and stabilise the brain lesions.” He receives two to three new cases each month that require investigation, and has between two to five follow ups each week.Dr Alkhaznaji noted that the disease, which causes damage to the central nervous system, is unpredictable and distracts the flow between the brain and the body.

“The cause of MS is still unknown, but it is often a genetic factor or immune motivated, and the severity is different from one person to another.” He added that most patients with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20-50, and more common in women. “MS is an immune mediated process, involving mainly a responsive immune system directive against the central nervous system, affecting the brain optic nerve and spinal cord.”

He added that MS cases neurological systems attacks, disturbance and weakness, which ultimately affects the daily life of the sufferer.

Dr Alkhaznaji said that brain imaging will determine the patient’s diagnoses, and attacks will be treated with steroids, although it depends on the cases and the severity of each case. Nevertheless, patients will continue with therapies throughout their lives. Dr Alkhaznaji noted that awareness programs such as the ‘Muntada’ talk will surely add a great dimension to the already existing support group for MS sufferers in the UAE.