Doha: Sidra Medicine has achieved a major medical milestone with the successful completion of Qatar’s first pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), marking a significant advancement in the country’s capacity to deliver highly specialised, life-saving care for children with complex and high-risk conditions.

The historic procedure was performed on a nine-year-old boy diagnosed with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, who received stem cells donated by his brother. This landmark achievement represents a key step forward in Sidra Medicine’s pediatric HSCT programme and follows the inauguration of its dedicated HSCT ward in June 2025, strengthening Qatar’s national capabilities in advanced cellular therapies.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr Ahmed Al Hammadi, Chair of Pediatric Medicine at Sidra Medicine, said the successful transplant reflects Sidra Medicine’s commitment to providing world-class specialty care within Qatar. He noted that the milestone underscores the institution’s mission to ensure children have access to highly specialised treatments locally, reducing the need for care abroad while improving outcomes for young patients.

The patient’s treatment journey at Sidra Medicine began in 2019 with standard chemotherapy over a two-year period. Following disease relapses in May 2022 and December 2024, the clinical team determined that an allogeneic stem cell transplant offered the best chance for long-term recovery. Dr Chiara Cugno, Acting Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and HSCT and Director of the Advanced Cell Therapy Core, highlighted that the expanding pediatric HSCT programme addresses a critical national need, with more than 50 children in Qatar currently awaiting transplantation, and noted that the service is available to both local and international patients.

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