Lujain Goes Home

Major General Dr. Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services, said the continued progress in gene therapy and stem cell transplantation reflects the high standard of Bahrain’s military medical sector and its commitment to delivering advanced precision treatments in line with international standards.

He expressed pride in the support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as well as the backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, saying this support has helped drive medical innovation and improve healthcare services in the Kingdom.

His remarks came during a visit to the patient, Lujain, following the completion of her treatment under the Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Transplantation Programme for inherited blood disorders. She has since been discharged in good health and is now in the final stage of recovery.

The Bahrain Oncology Centre, which is part of the Royal Medical Services, said the treatment was carried out using Casgevy, a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing therapy developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics. The centre described it as a major breakthrough offering long-term improvement for patients with inherited blood diseases.

Dr. Edward Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Oncology Centre, said the success marks another step forward for Bahrain in precision medicine, highlighting local medical teams' ability to deliver highly complex treatments in line with global standards.

Dr. Noora Butti, Head of the programme, said the patient will continue follow-up care and is expected to return to normal daily activities within months, adding that further similar successes are anticipated.