Abdulaziz Al Humaidi, a twelve-year old Qatari national living with a generic immune deficiency disorder, won the gold medal at the Third International Festival of Paintings for Paediatric Patients in Ukraine.
Abdulaziz, who has been receiving care for his condition at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), said he was proud to be the first child from Qatar to win the award, adding that his illness has never prevented him from pursuing his dreams.
Over 1,600 children from around the world entered the international drawing competition, with Abdulaziz selected as the winner in the age ten- to fourteen-year-old category. The Grade 8 student nicknamed ‘Mr Ambassador’ by his friends and family, says he learned about the competition from one of his doctors.
I learned about the competition from Dr Mehdi Adeli. I did not hesitate to enter. In addition to giving me the opportunity to show my love of painting, the competition also allowed me to share my appreciation for the treatment I received from HMC while also promoting my country. It is because of the care I received (fromHMC) that I am able to live my life without staying in the hospital. I can travel, I can paint, and I can play my favourite sport – football.’
Abdulaziz says he is dedicating his victory to Qatar and to HH The Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Dr Adeli, a Senior Consultant in the Allergy and Immunology Department and Lead of the Allergy and Immunology Awareness Programme at HMC, said he informed his young patient about the competition because he knew of his love for drawing. He was confident Abdulaziz would be a good role model who could demonstrate how hobbies like art can positively affect one’s mental well-being.
Abdulaziz is an excellent example for all of us. He embodies the importance of a positive attitude and the strong connection between a positive outlook and good physical health.’
Dr Adeli explained that Abdulaziz has a congenital immunodeficiency disorder. Also known as primary immunodeficiency disease, individuals born with the condition have an immune system that does not produce enough antibodies to fight infection. He said that in most cases the condition is diagnosed in infancy, when a child experiences abnormally frequent infections.
Patients with this condition are more susceptible to viral infections, severe bronchitis, oral ulcers, chest infections, chronic diarrhoea, chronic coughs, and skin rashes, and may also experience failure to grow. Fortunately, Abdulaziz’s condition was identified early and he got a bone marrow transplant immediately after being diagnosed.
As a newborn, Abdulaziz had the necessary tests that confirmed the diagnosis and it was decided immediately that he undergo a bone marrow transplant in the United Kingdom. The success rate for this treatment is as high as 94% when completed before the age of three months. However, the success rate is reduced for infants who receive a transplant later, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis.’
After completing his treatment in the United Kingdom, Abdulaziz returned to Doha and has been receiving care at HMC ever since. While he was initially given intravenous proteins (globulins), he was later switched to another treatment that allows him to spend less time in the hospital.
The new treatment, immunoglobulin therapy, is administered under the skin and is considered a more comfortable and convenient option for most patients. While immunoglobulin for primary immunodeficiencies is recognised as the ‘gold standard’ treatment in many countries, Qatar is one of the few countries in the Middle East that offers the therapy to patients.
According to Dr Adeli, the success of Abdulaziz’s treatment and his ability to effectively manage his condition has resulted in six other children at HMC undergoing the same process.
Abdulaziz’s mother says she is very proud of her son. She said his creativity has been an important outlet for him during stressful times.
His father and I are always keen to encourage him and his siblings to practice their hobbies. As soon as we learned about the competition from Dr Adeli, we knew Abdulaziz should enter. We are so proud of his gold metal win and I would like to thank HMC, and particularly Dr Adeli, for the ongoing support and care shown to my son and our family.’
There are more than 300 primary immunodeficiency diseases recognised by the World Health Organisation. Around 150 patients with the condition are currently being treated at Hamad General Hospital.
For more information about the immunoglobulin therapy treatment at HMC, visit their website through this link.