KUWAIT: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday commended Kuwait’s efforts to raise awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at various gatherings with a view to supporting progress in treatment. This came in a press release issued by the WHO’s Representative in Kuwait Dr Assad Hafeez on the occasion of the World Duchenne Awareness Day, which falls on September 7.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease which runs in families and mostly effects boys. It is seen in approximately 1 in every 3,500 live births and is estimated that up to half a million patients are present around the world at his time. In Kuwait, the prevalence of genetic disorders, including DMD, is a significant concern and many families have been documented to have this disease as listed in the official registry.

Hafeez said Kuwait played a key role in the promotion of this day at various events and organizations, including the United Nations (UN), to disseminate a deep understanding of rare genetic disorders, spur early diagnosis, and buttress progress in treatment and care. He also emphasized the importance of this awareness campaign, saying: “World Duchenne Awareness Day is a critical opportunity to amplify the voices of those affected by DMD. World Health Organization, as member of UN community, is committed to working with Kuwait and other member states to improve healthcare access, early diagnosis, and treatment advancements, ensuring that all affected families receive the support they need.”

The WHO’s representative underlined that this year’s theme: “Raise your voice for Duchenne” emphasizes the importance of amplifying voices to advocate for the rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of people living with DMD and other dystrophinopathies. DMD is a rare progressive disorder. People with DMD are missing muscle-protecting proteins. This is due to a fault in the gene-producing dystrophin, which causes muscles to become weaker over time until it affects the whole body. It is caused by a mutation on the X-chromosome, that is why mainly males are affected. Recognizing that DMD is one of the most common pediatric genetic rare diseases, the UN General Assembly decided to designate September 7, the current World Duchenne Awareness Day, as a United Nations Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2024. — KUNA