New pediatric stem cell transplant ward opens at Sidra Medicine in Qatar

QATAR—Her Highness 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 in Doha, Qatar.

This new facility marks a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare, focusing on treating children with blood disorders, immune system diseases, and genetic conditions.

During her visit, Her Highness toured the state-of-the-art ward, engaged with clinical teams, and received a detailed overview of the HSCT program.

She was accompanied by His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, alongside members of Sidra Medicine’s Board of Directors and senior leadership, including Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO, and Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer.

The HSCT ward is a critical component of Sidra Medicine’s comprehensive program, which uses curative therapies to provide life-saving treatment for children suffering from various malignant and non-malignant blood diseases and cancers.

These include leukemia, lymphoma, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, immune deficiencies, and metabolic disorders.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) , also known as bone marrow transplant, involves replacing diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells, either from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic).

Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch highlighted that this is the first dedicated pediatric HSCT ward in Qatar, representing a major step in expanding access to advanced care for children both locally and regionally.

She emphasized that the program will reduce the need for patients to seek treatment abroad and position Qatar as a center of excellence in pediatric cell and gene therapies.

The goal is to offer sustainable, high-quality care close to home for patients and their families.

Prof. Ibrahim Janahi added that the launch supports Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by building national expertise in precision and regenerative medicine.

The program aims to ensure every child in Qatar can access the best treatments grounded in clinical excellence without leaving the country

The ward, managed by the Hematology and Oncology Division, is exclusively for patients under 18 years old.

It features two main sections: one for children undergoing HSCT and another for those with complex hematology-oncology conditions requiring intensive chemotherapy and inpatient care.

With an initial capacity of 20 beds, the ward includes advanced infrastructure such as high-level isolation rooms that comply with international infection control standards.

It is set to begin admitting patients for autologous transplants in late June 2025, with plans to extend care to allogeneic transplant patients later.

Dr. Ayman Saleh, Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & HSCT, noted that the program integrates multiple specialties to provide advanced, curative care.

So far, four autologous transplants have been successfully completed, and preparations are underway for allogeneic transplants.

This program exemplifies Sidra Medicine’s pioneering, family-centered approach to care and cure.

Beyond clinical treatment, the HSCT program is central to Sidra Medicine’s precision medicine strategy, supporting genomic research for pediatric autoimmune, genetic, and rare diseases.

The program is further strengthened by the Advanced Cell Therapy Core (ACTC), a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-qualified laboratory that processes and cryopreserves hematopoietic stem cells.

The ACTC 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 ACTC, emphasized that maintaining the highest standards in cell processing is essential to delivering safe and effective cellular therapies, enabling personalized care for children with cancer, blood, and immunologic disorders.

The multidisciplinary care team also includes experts in immunology, infectious diseases, radiology, psychology, pharmacy, nutrition, child life, and social work, ensuring comprehensive support throughout the transplant journey.

Before transplantation, children undergo thorough evaluations at Sidra’s outpatient clinic.

After admission, they receive conditioning chemotherapy to prepare for stem cell infusion, followed by careful monitoring during the vulnerable aplasia phase when their immune system is weakest.

Most patients stay in the hospital for 30 to 40 days and continue outpatient follow-up after discharge.

In addition to medical treatment, Sidra Medicine provides support services such as social work, clinical nurse specialists, and case management.

While formal support groups are still being developed, continuous engagement with families is integral to the care process.

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