Spotlight on SidraMedicine's Stem Cell Transplant Ward
Doha
The new Paediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Ward at Sidra Medicine represents a major advancement in its commitment to deliver state-of-the-art, lifesaving care for children with cancer, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, and other complex conditions.
As part of Sidra Medicine's comprehensive Paediatric Hematology—Oncology, and HSCT Programme, the ward is uniquely equipped to provide curative therapy through cellular and gene-based treatment approaches. This initiative positions Sidra Medicine as a national and regional leader in paediatric stem cell transplantation and personalized medicine.
1. What is the purpose of the new paediatric HSCT Ward at Sidra Medicine?
The new paediatric HSCT Ward is designed to treat children with life-threatening cancer, blood, immune, and genetic disorders. It is a core part of Sidra Medicine's HSCT Programme using curative therapy to provide life-saving treatment for children.
2.What is HSCT and how does it work?
HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation), also known as bone marrow transplant, replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic).
It is currently the only curative treatment for many congenital and acquired otherwise fatal and acquired fatal paediatric diseases. The procedure is at the forefront of personalised medicine and plays a vital role in the development of advanced cell and gene therapies.
3. Why is the paediatric HSCT ward being opened?
To address the growing demand for paediatric transplant services, eliminate the need for families to travel abroad, and enhance our national capability in advanced cellular therapy.
4.What conditions will be treated at theHSCT Ward?
The HSCT ward will serve paediatric patients with a range of malignant and non-malignant conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumours, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, primary immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases, and certain autoimmune and genetic disorders.
5.How many beds are in the HSCT Ward?
The paediatric hematology-oncology and HSCT Ward has a 20-bed capacity.
It is divided into two main sections: One section is dedicated to pediatric patients undergoing HSCT (bone marrow transplant), and the other for patients with complex hemato-oncology diagnoses, such as paediatric cancer, who are receiving chemotherapy or inpatient care for treatment-related complications. Note that HSCT is a medical—not surgical—procedure, and no surgeries take place in the HSCT ward.
6.When will the paediatric HSCT ward open?
The paediatric HSCT ward is scheduled to receive patients for autologous transplants in late June of 2025 with preparations underway to care for inpatient children who will undergo allogeneic transplants at a later stage.
7.Who is eligible for treatment?
The ward is exclusively for paediatric patients under the age of 18. It serves both local and international patients in need of HSCT or inpatient hematology-oncology care.
8.What is the HSCT Programme about?
The HSCT programme at Sidra Medicine is part of a precision medicine strategy to treat patients with various blood diseases and cancers including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors. In addition, the programme includes the treatment of primary immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases, and certain genetic and autoimmune disorders.
9.What makes this programme unique in Qatar?
This is the first dedicated paediatric HSCT programme in the country, reducing the need for children to travel abroad for transplant services. The programme also integrates cutting-edge research, cell therapy, and gene therapy capabilities.
10. What are the safety and infection control measures in place?
The unit adheres to the highest international infection control standards, including high-level HEPA-filtered, positive pressure isolation rooms to protect patients during the vulnerable aplasia period when the immune system is suppressed.
11. How many children are currently awaiting HSCT in Qatar?
More than 50 children are currently on the transplant waitlist, highlighting the urgent need for this new facility.
12.Will Sidra Medicine treat international patients?
Yes, our services are open to eligible international paediatric patients and align with our vision to be a regional centre of excellence in paediatric cell and gene therapy.
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