KUWAIT CITY,  Jan 22: Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi announced that 71 stem cell transplants have been successfully performed for children since the launch of Kuwait's stem cell transplant program in October 2020. He highlighted that the success rates of these transplants are on par with major global centers.

In a speech at the opening of the Fourth Conference on Stem Cell Transplantation and Gene and Cell Therapy for Children on Wednesday, Dr. Al-Awadhi shared that of the 71 transplants, 57 were from donor stem cells, seven were autologous stem cell transplants, and seven involved cell therapy to enhance stem cells. He further emphasized that 27 of these cases involved stem cell transplants from semi-identical donors, which is one of the most complex medical procedures requiring high levels of expertise and precision.

This accomplishment, he noted, reflects Kuwait’s significant progress in this field and demonstrates the country's ability to provide medical care that meets the highest international standards. Dr. Al-Awadhi added that the Ministry of Health is dedicated to staying at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements in treating blood diseases and cancers in children, with particular focus on stem cell transplants, cell therapy, and gene therapy to offer the best possible treatments for blood cancer and genetic disorders.

He explained that since Kuwait’s initial steps in stem cell transplantation, the primary goal has been to position the country as a leader in this highly specialized field. "Since establishing the first stem cell transplantation program in the country, we have worked to create an integrated system that combines distinguished national expertise with the latest global technologies," he said.

Dr. Al-Awadhi further described the conference as both a humanitarian and scientific message, emphasizing Kuwait's commitment to a healthier future for children. He stated that the conference serves as an open invitation for knowledge exchange and cooperation among experts to find innovative solutions that could revolutionize diagnosis and treatment methods.

In a statement to reporters after the opening, Dr. Al-Awadhi highlighted that the conference marks a significant milestone for the Ministry of Health. He also announced the signing of a contract to establish the third section of the National Bank of Kuwait Hospital, along with the availability of the latest medical devices and medications.

Dr. Sondos Al-Shuraidah, the conference chairperson, remarked that the Therapeutic Phlebotomy Unit has shown exceptional performance, having conducted 530 therapeutic photopheresis sessions since 2022, in addition to 28 blood exchange sessions and numerous other therapeutic phlebotomy treatments for children since 2023. She emphasized that the annual conference reflects the ongoing advancements at the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Unit and its strengthening through increased cooperation with regional and international institutions, all of which contribute to improving the quality of care for sick children and expanding the scope of scientific research.

Dr. Al-Shuraidah noted that several visiting doctors participated in multidisciplinary meetings at the National Bank Hospital, where over 30 children were examined, either in outpatient clinics or hospital wards. She also highlighted that 37 international and regional speakers from ten hospitals are contributing to the conference, enriching discussions and enhancing scientific collaboration. The conference agenda focuses on cutting-edge technologies that open new possibilities for treating blood cancer and tumors through genetic engineering.