Haematology

Our haematology teams care for children and adults with blood and bone marrow disorders, both the common and the complex. We work in multidisciplinary teams across our hospitals in the UAE, combining specialist blood tests with the clinical care that follows a diagnosis.

What is haematology?

Haematology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the blood and bone marrow. Haematologists diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including anaemia, bleeding and clotting disorders, and blood cancers such as leukaemia. It also covers related organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes. Much of the work is long term, following a chronic condition over many years and monitoring the treatment it needs. Blood cancers are usually looked after together with cancer specialists.

Areas within haematology

Paediatric haematology - Blood and bone marrow disorders in children, including inherited conditions such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease, as well as childhood blood cancers.

When should you see a haematologist?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Ongoing tiredness or looking pale
• Bruising easily, or bleeding that is hard to stop
• Infections that keep coming back
• Swollen glands in your neck, armpit or groin
• Unexplained weight loss, night sweats or a fever that will not settle
• Being told that a blood test result was abnormal

A high temperature, chills or feeling very unwell while you are having chemotherapy can be a sign of a serious infection. Contact your care team or seek emergency care straight away.

You might also see a haematologist without any symptoms. Sometimes a blood test done for another reason shows something that needs a closer look, and that too can bring you in. Thalassaemia and sickle cell disease are relatively common inherited conditions in the region. In the UAE, premarital screening has long included tests for them, so some people come as carriers or for family planning. Others are seen for monitoring, for example while taking blood-thinning medicines or after a transfusion.

What to expect

At your first appointment, the haematologist asks about your symptoms, your medical history and any blood conditions in your family. You'll usually have blood tests the same day, including a full blood count, which measures the different cells in your blood. Depending on the results, you may have a blood film examined under a microscope, or a small bone marrow sample taken to confirm a diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. Many conditions are managed with medicines or supplements, such as iron tablets for anaemia or blood-thinning medicines to prevent clots. Blood cancers follow a different path, usually treated with chemotherapy and other cancer therapies. Because many blood conditions are long term, regular check-ups and blood tests are a normal part of care, and we'll talk you through the options and agree each step with you.

Haematology at Mediclinic

We provide haematology care in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Our teams look after non-cancerous blood disorders and blood cancers alike. Common reasons people come to us include anaemia, thalassaemia and bleeding or clotting problems. People with blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma are cared for alongside our cancer services in Dubai. Because a blood problem is sometimes part of a wider illness, our haematologists work in multidisciplinary teams with other specialists.