Bahrain's leading sickle cell campaigner is reportedly seriously ill in hospital with the disease.

Sources said Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care chairman Zakareya Ebrahim Al Kadhem, who had been receiving treatment at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) since Monday, had been moved to the Intensive Care Unit after his condition deteriorated.

He was reportedly admitted after complaining of chest pain.

Sources said doctors were continuously monitoring Mr Al Kadhem's health, but no other details were available.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sadiq Al Shehabi confirmed a BD2.5 million blood diseases centre will open in January.

He said the building, already under construction within SMC, would be handed over to the ministry by December.

It will then be furnished according to international specifications before the first patients can move in," said Mr Al Shehabi.

Investigation

He was speaking as he toured the facility along with other ministry and society officials.

"We are committed to top class care for all patients and when it comes to those suffering from blood diseases, we go the extra mile," pledged Mr Al Shehabi.

Mr Al Shehabi said once completed, the centre would take a huge load off the SMC accident and emergency department as well as other SMC facilities.

"We are hoping patients who come to the centre will have top-class services and facilities," said the minister.

He also promised a full investigation into allegations by sickle cell patients that they had been mistreated at the hospital.

"I have been made aware of some cases by the sickle cell society and I have ordered an investigation," said Mr Al Shehabi. We will take action against anyone who is found guilty," he added.

Speaking to the GDN from his hospital bed before his condition deteriorated, Mr Al Kadhem said society officials were delighted to be finally getting a dedicated treatment centre.

He said they had been assured by the minister all possible steps would be taken to help sickle cell patients and the results of earlier investigations into the deaths of sickle cell patients at SMC would be made available.

"We are happy with the minister's assurances and look forward to fruitful co-operation with officials," said Mr Al Kadhem.

The centre had been scheduled to open next month, but changes in the design meant it had to be pushed back.

Ministry engineering and maintenance director Mohammed Al Qahtani said officials had been asked to create more facilities and a re-design was required.

The 90-bed, four-storey centre will treat all patients with blood diseases, but will be of particular help for those suffering from sickle cell disease.

It is expected to benefit hundreds of patients who suffer from blood diseases, particularly those with sickle cell anaemia.

The centre is expected to have an accident and emergency department, an out-patient department and a ward each for children, men and women.

It is being constructed opposite the Al Fateh Specialist Centre within the SMC complex.

Eight people have died so far this year due to the disease with relatives claiming negligence to be the cause.