Medcare Women & Children Hospital (MWCH) in Dubai has marked a breakthrough in advanced medical treatment by administering 100 successful gene therapy infusions for children suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). This makes MWCH the first private healthcare facility in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa to achieve this feat, underscoring its commitment to pioneering medical advancements.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the voluntary muscle movement of children, leading to progressive muscle weakening and atrophy. MWCH’s groundbreaking initiative aims to address this debilitating condition and improve the quality of life for affected children.
With 90% of the patients coming from Turkey, MWCH has emerged as a beacon of hope for families across multiple countries, including Romania, Russia, Belarus, Nepal, and Iran. The hospital’s dedicated facility for women and children has been instrumental in providing timely access to life-saving gene therapy, ensuring that children receive the critical treatment they need.
Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, expressed her delight at MWCH’s achievement, emphasizing its significance in advancing medical standards in the region. She said, “I am delighted to share that Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully treated 100 children facing the life-threatening challenge of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). This achievement not only represents hope and recovery but also highlights our dedication to advancing medical standards in the region. Medcare has emerged as a beacon of hope for families grappling with SMA. We are also pleased to be the only healthcare facility that handles the largest number of such complex cases among any private institute worldwide, which is a tremendous testament to the trust and skill set we offer as a leading healthcare destination. Known as the region’s center for specialized treatments and procedures, the UAE attracts medical tourists from all over the world because of its strategic location, cutting-edge medical technology and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities. Providing specialized treatments such as the SMA Gene therapy to deserving patients is an honor for us, and we reiterate our commitment to the UAE’s Vision 2031, which aims to position the country among the top ten countries in the world for quality health care.”
Dr. Vivek Mundada, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Head of Paediatric Neurology Department at MWCH, commended the hospital’s multidisciplinary team for their dedication and expertise in combating SMA. He said, “We are proud of the strides we have made at Medcare in advancing SMA treatment in this region. Thanks to the dedication of our multidisciplinary team of specialists, including paediatric neurologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, orthopaedics, physiotherapists, and gastroenterologists. We have made significant progress in combatting this disorder with our top-notch state of the art facilities.”
As MWCH celebrates this milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to providing world-class healthcare and pioneering treatments for SMA and other neuromuscular conditions. The hospital’s groundbreaking gene therapy program offers hope and brighter prospects for children grappling with these disorders, reflecting its dedication to excellence in healthcare.
With its extensive experience in gene therapy, the hospital is poised to offer novel treatments for other life-limiting conditions, further solidifying its position as a global leader in healthcare excellence.