Gaza child receives life-saving transplant in Abu Dhabi

Young Palestinian patient discharged following bone marrow operation

Yas Clinic in Khalifa City successfully discharged a young Palestinian patient following a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Photo: Wam

A child with a rare and severe immunodeficiency has undergone life-saving treatment in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Clinic in Khalifa City.

The bone marrow transplant, conducted under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, came after the child had been admitted for seven months diagnosed with DADA-2 deficiency, state news agency Wam reported.

This is a rare genetic disorder that involves inflammation of the body's tissues, especially the tissues that make up the blood vessels. It can lead to damaged vital organs and systems, resulting in disability and even death.

After admission, the boy required prolonged care in Yas Clinic’s paediatric intensive care unit due to the complexity of his condition.

Family support

To save his life, and with the UAE's support, his sister was able to travel from Gaza to serve as his matched donor in a transplant performed last month. He has since been discharged and is in a stable condition, Wam added.

“This was an extraordinary case that brought together every element of modern medicine, from genetics and immunology to critical care and transplantation,” said Dr Maysoon Al Karam, chief medical officer at Yas Clinic Khalifa City. “The commitment shown by our multidisciplinary team and our partners at ADSCC made all the difference in this child’s life.”

The patient has now returned home to continue his recovery.

UAE delivers

The operation is one of many examples of how the UAE has supported the people of Gaza since war broke out in the enclave.

Launched in 2023 by President Sheikh Mohamed, Operation Gallant Knight 3 has been carried out in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent and humanitarian and charitable institutions in the UAE, to deliver aid to those most in need.

More than 55,000 tonnes of aid has been delivered through air, and across sea and land, with more than 500 air trips, six transport ships and 2,500 lorries used to carry goods from Egypt into Gaza. Additionally, an air drop operation has delivered more than 3,700 tonnes of humanitarian aid by parachute in inaccessible areas.