Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohamed bin Abdullah AlKhalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), opened the ‘Able’conference for sickle cell patients on 12 September 2024 at the Gulf Hotel.

Zakaria Ibrahim Al Kadhim, Secretary General of the BahrainSociety for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), highlighted that the conference supportsthe leadership's vision under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, andgovernment efforts led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad AlKhalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He noted Bahrain’s position as acentre for major medical conferences, which reflects progress in the medicalfield.

Conference chair Manahil Mansoor noted the event featuredscientific studies on the history of SCD, its challenges, and recenttreatments. Key participants included Dr. Salam Salim Al Kindi from Oman andDr. Fatima Malallah, Head of the Genetic Blood Disorders Centre, who presentedon acute chest syndrome, one of the most severe complications of the disease.Dr. Jaffar Al Took, a genetic blood disorder specialist, discussed painmanagement and the latest treatments in Bahrain and internationally.

The conference featured testimonies from patients and broadparticipation from medical and nursing professionals and students. Severalpatients aged between 65 and 90 were honoured, symbolising Bahrain's success inmanaging SCD, with life expectancy now raised to 65 years.