A BAHRAINI man has become the first sickle cell patient in the world to recover from Covid-19, it has emerged, reports the GDN's Raji Unnikrishnan.

The 39-year-old, from Al Hajer, is the first known sickle cell anaemia patient in the world to be diagnosed with and to recover from the coronavirus.

Campaigners have hailed this as “good news” for the global sickle cell community, as studies in the US have warned that these patients are 40 times more at risk of contracting Covid-19 compared to individuals with other chronic diseases.

Speaking to the GDN in an exclusive interview, the father-of-two recalled “facing death” while battling the virus in the isolation and treatment facility.

“It was a very difficult time and I went up to levels in which I could not talk or even walk to the toilet,” he told the GDN over the phone after being discharged.

“I faced death and I have never experienced this feeling before.

“I am thankful to God and the doctors and nurses that I recovered.

“I faced these difficult situations with the support and care of the medical and nursing staff at the SMC.

“My advice to everyone is to follow the instructions from the authorities and keep a distance from each other.”

When he was admitted to the hospital with symptoms it was initially thought he was suffering from a “sickle cell crisis”, but a doctor’s quick thinking led to the diagnosis, according to Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care chairman Zakreya Al Kadhem.

“He was immediately taken into isolation for further treatment,” said Mr Al Kadhem, a sickle cell patient himself.

“Though he developed some complications he was not transferred to the Intensive Care Unit which was a blessing.

“He has been discharged after spending almost three weeks in isolation and treatment.

“He is the first case of a sickle cell patient contracting Covid-19 in the world and now he is the first to recover as well.”

Due to the high risk factor associated with the illness Mr Al Kadhem said that initially researchers had been questioning whether governments around the world were hiding Covid-19 cases of sickle cell patients.

“Then we in Bahrain had the first case early March and worldwide our community was eagerly waiting for this news and we are glad that it turned out to be good news,” he added.

“Now we hear of more numbers and it is sad and unconfirmed reports say there are hundreds of sickle cell patients battling Covid-19 across the world, along with many deaths.

“So far, we have only one case in Bahrain and he has recovered so it is a good sign.”

He also urged sickle cell sufferers to follow strict guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infections among the community.

The GDN previously reported that latests statistics show there are around 8,664 Bahrainis – 4,271 male and 4,393 female – suffering from sickle cell anaemia.

“The risk is high with us as according to studies in the US sickle cell patients face 40 times more risk than those with other chronic conditions,” he said.

“Our advice is to do respiratory exercises, which is not limited to sickle cell patients but for all especially those with chronic illness.

“As we know the virus attacks the respiratory system and affects the chest and lungs, leading to the failure of the system.

“We can make it stronger by exercising – and we along with the US were the first in the world to adopt this which was later adopted in other countries including the GCC.”

Sickle cell disease is a group of disorders that affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that deliver oxygen to cells throughout the body.

People with this disorder have atypical haemoglobin molecules called haemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent shape.