Kuwait to introduce gene therapy for teens with blood disorders
KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi announced on Friday that more than 40 successful stem cell transplant operations have been performed in Kuwait for children suffering from thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, noting that 'these procedures are increasing due to advanced medical efforts and ongoing government support.' In his opening speech at the First Pan Arab Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Conference, Dr Al-Awadhi also revealed that gene therapy for children over the age of 12 is under review in Kuwait as a promising treatment option for thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, and that it is expected to be available soon as part of the country's national health plans. 'This step will open new horizons for full recovery and improved quality of life,' he said, adding that it falls under a comprehensive national strategy aimed at easing the burden on patients and their families and enhancing their well-being.
He expressed Kuwait's pride in its notable achievements in prevention, especially the premarital screening program, which has been implemented since 2009. He noted that more than 400,000 screenings have been conducted using the latest advanced diagnostic tools. In addition, a specialized genetic laboratory has been established to diagnose blood disorders using multiple modern genetic techniques, the latest of which is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). He emphasized that the program's success was proven in a scientific study published in 2019, which showed a significant drop of over 50 percent in the number of cases at risk of transmitting hereditary blood diseases among engaged couples.
This success has led to a noticeable decrease in new thalassemia cases diagnosed in newborns, children, and citizens in Kuwait. Consequently, the Ministry of Health decided to include residents in the premarital screening program. This resulted in a recently issued law mandating such screenings for residents prior to marriage.
Dr Al-Awadhi stressed the ministry's strong commitment to enhancing services for these patients, including providing the latest internationally approved treatments for iron overload, a common complication from repeated blood transfusions. He reaffirmed the ministry's dedication to introducing the latest globally approved treatments that reduce dependence on blood transfusions by stimulating red blood cell production in patients. Dr Al-Awadhi concluded by stating that these diseases affect not only individuals' health but also impact families and society as a whole. 'We reaffirm our commitment to supporting every scientific or humanitarian initiative that helps raise awareness, improve patients' quality of life, and enhance efforts in early diagnosis and treatment,' he said. — KUNA
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