Doha: HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, officially inaugurated the new pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) ward at Sidra Medicine, a Qatar Foundation entity. The new ward is dedicated to treating children with blood disorders, immune system diseases, and genetic conditions.
According to Qatar News Agency, during the visit, Her Highness toured the facility, engaged with clinical teams, and received an overview of the HSCT program’s role in advancing care and stem cell and gene therapies for children in Qatar and the region. Her Highness was accompanied by HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, members of Sidra Medicine’s Board of Directors and senior leadership, including Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, Chief Executive Officer and Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer.
The HSCT ward is a core part of Sidra Medicine’s HSCT Program, using curative therapies to provide life-saving care and treatment for children with a range of blood diseases and cancers. This includes malignant and non-malignant conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, immune deficiencies, and metabolic disorders.
HSCT, also known as bone marrow transplant, replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic). Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine, stated that the opening of the new ward marks a major step in expanding access to life-saving care for children in Qatar and the region. The program aims to reduce the need for outbound referrals and position Qatar as a center of excellence for pediatric cell and gene therapies.
Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine, emphasized that the launch of the HSCT Ward aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 by building national expertise in precision and regenerative medicine. The goal is to ensure that every child in Qatar can access the best possible treatment, close to home and grounded in clinical excellence.
Managed by the Hematology and Oncology Division at Sidra Medicine, the new ward is designed exclusively for pediatric patients under the age of 18. It is divided into two main sections: one for children undergoing HSCT and another for patients with complex hematology-oncology diagnoses requiring intensive chemotherapy and inpatient care.
With an initial capacity of 20 beds, the new pediatric HSCT ward integrates cutting-edge infrastructure, including high-level isolation facilities that meet international infection control standards. It is scheduled to begin receiving patients for autologous transplants in late June of 2025, with preparations underway for allogeneic transplants at a later stage.
Dr. Ayman Saleh, Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant at Sidra Medicine, highlighted the program’s advanced and curative care for children with complex conditions. With plans to offer allogeneic transplants soon, the program is building a strong foundation for pediatric cellular therapy in Qatar.
In addition to treating patients with blood diseases and cancers, the HSCT program at Sidra Medicine is central to its precision medicine strategy, facilitating genomic research programs for pediatric autoimmune disorders, genetic, and rare diseases.
Sidra Medicine’s HSCT program is further enhanced by a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-qualified laboratory team operating under the Advanced Cell Therapy Core (ACTC). The ACTC manages the processing and cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells and is working toward Sidra Medicine’s qualification as a treatment center for Casgevy, a gene therapy for thalassemia and sickle cell disease.
Dr. Chiara Cugno, Director of the Advanced Cell Therapy Core and GMP Facility at Sidra Medicine, emphasized the role of the GMP-qualified laboratory in delivering safe and effective cellular therapies. By maintaining high standards in cell processing and cryopreservation, the facility supports precision treatments for children with cancer, blood, and immunologic disorders.
All HSCT program services will be open to local and international patients, with more than 50 children currently awaiting transplantation in Qatar. Future phases for the HSCT program include scaling allogeneic transplant capacity and introducing CAR-T cell and gene therapies.
The HSCT program includes a multidisciplinary team of specialized physicians, apheresis-trained staff, dedicated HSCT nurses, and allied health professionals. The Sidra Medicine care team also involves experts in immunology, infectious diseases, radiology, psychology, pharmacy, nutrition, child life, and social work, ensuring comprehensive and patient-centered care throughout the transplant journey.
Before a transplant, every child will undergo a detailed evaluation at Sidra Medicine’s outpatient clinic to ensure readiness for the procedure. Once admitted, children will undergo conditioning chemotherapy to prepare their bodies for the stem cell infusion. They will be closely monitored during the aplasia phase, when their immune system is at its weakest, with most patients staying in the hospital for about 30 to 40 days. Following discharge, they will continue their care through regular follow-ups in an outpatient setting.
In addition to medical and nursing care, Sidra Medicine offers support services for patients and families, including social work, clinical nurse specialists, and case management. While formal support groups are under development, ongoing engagement with families is embedded throughout the care process.