The Arab Thalassemia Associations Forum (TATAF)

The Arab Thalassemia Associations Forum (TATAF) was established in 2019 under the patronage of the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), on the sidelines of the Jordanian Conference on Hematological Diseases and Thalassemia held in Amman. The initiative was launched by Palestine, which called for activating the role of Arab associations working in this field.

Representatives from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates participated in founding the Forum. Later, Egypt and Iraq joined as founding members. The Forum currently includes representatives from 15 Arab countries.

The Forum operates under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif bint Mohammed Al Nahyan (United Arab Emirates), a member of the Federation Council and Patron of the Forum.

The Forum aims to coordinate Arab efforts to address the growing challenges associated with the increasing life expectancy of patients and the development of modern therapies. During 2024, it organized five educational seminars for people with thalassemia and their families, under the patronage of the Thalassaemia International Federation.

Palestine is considered one of the founding bodies of the Forum and is represented on the Executive Committee for all activities by Dr. Bashar Al-Karmi and Ms. Jihad Abu Ghosh.

The Forum focuses on discussing patients’ needs in the following areas:

- Education

- Employment opportunities

- Marriage and reproductive challenges

- Social acceptance