Kuwait to introduce gene therapy for children with thalassemia and sickle cell anemia

Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi announced that Kuwait is preparing to introduce gene therapy for children over the age of 12 as a promising treatment for thalassemia and sickle cell anemia.

He stated that this advanced therapy is expected to become available soon as part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to ease the burden on patients and their families while significantly improving quality of life, reports Al-Rai daily.

Speaking at the opening of the first Arab conference on thalassemia and sickle cell anemia awareness, Al-Awadhi highlighted Kuwait’s progress in treating these genetic blood disorders.
He noted that more than 40 children have successfully undergone stem cell transplants, a number that continues to grow with government support and advanced healthcare efforts.

Al-Awadhi praised Kuwait’s achievements in prevention, particularly the premarital screening program launched in 2009. Over 400,000 individuals have been tested using cutting-edge diagnostics, including a specialized genetic lab employing Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.

A 2019 study confirmed the program’s success, showing a 50% drop in the risk of hereditary transmission among couples intending to marry. This led to a decline in new cases among newborns and spurred legislation mandating premarital testing for residents as well.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to integrating global medical advances, including treatments for iron overload from repeated transfusions and newly approved therapies that stimulate red blood cell production, potentially reducing dependence on transfusions.

Dr. Najat Rouh El-Din, chair of the conference, said the event was held in partnership with the Arab Forum for Thalassemia Associations, the World Thalassemia Organization, and the Kuwait Blood Association. Featuring 49 speakers from 13 Arab nations, the conference includes 10 specialized workshops and scientific sessions aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial support.

Dr. Maryam Al-Feely, hematology consultant at Ahmadi Hospital and member of the Kuwait Society of Hematology, emphasized the importance of this event in raising public awareness and promoting regional collaboration to tackle the challenges faced by patients and their families.