A Bahraini yesterday (June 15) became the 13th sickle cell patient to die since the start of this year, a report said.

The Gulf Daily News earlier reported authorities were restricting access to prescription painkillers to combat spiralling rates of drug addiction.

"Our concern is that with the new policies in place to manage this disease, it takes longer to receive treatment than before," said Sickle Cell Anaemia Patient Care president Zakariya Al Kadhem.

"When a sickle cell patient goes to the emergency room screaming in pain, they are considered as addicts and treatment is delayed. Even if they are considered as addicts, addiction is a sickness and they can be treated for that but ignoring the patient is not the way."

Meanwhile, Al Kadhem warned more sickle cell anaemia patients die during the summer due to heat and dehydration.

He said patients coming in during this time of the year should be taken more seriously as they were more susceptible to having complications as the temperatures rise. – TradeArabia News Service