{"id":10812,"date":"2025-12-30T12:43:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T11:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shams-alyaoum.com\/en\/?p=10812"},"modified":"2025-12-30T12:43:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T11:43:10","slug":"uaes-medcare-treats-first-international-sma-patient-with-revolutionary-intrathecal-gene-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shams-alyaoum.com\/en\/uaes-medcare-treats-first-international-sma-patient-with-revolutionary-intrathecal-gene-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE\u2019s Medcare treats first international SMA patient with revolutionary intrathecal gene therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

The newly licensed intrathecal gene therapy expands life-changing treatment options for children and adults affected by SMA<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\n

Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully administered a pioneering intrathecal gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to Hulus, a three-year-old patient from Turkey. This milestone positions Medcare among the first private healthcare providers worldwide to offer this innovative treatment to an older international patient, overcoming previous age and weight limitations.<\/p>\n

SMA is a rare neuromuscular disorder that progressively weakens muscles responsible for movement and breathing. This newly licensed one-time therapy addresses the root genetic cause by delivering a functional SMN1 gene.<\/p>\n

For Hulus, whose daily routine earlier depended on intensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, the procedure from Medcare offered a promising alternative to lifelong injections. His father, Mustafa, shared that despite years of rehabilitation, the therapy has renewed hope for greater independence and quality of life for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a defining moment for SMA care in the region,\u201d said Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group CEO of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres. \u201cFamilies whose children were previously ineligible for gene therapy now have access to a revolutionary treatment that can significantly improve outcomes. This reflects Medcare\u2019s long-standing commitment to children with rare diseases, supported by specialised expertise and advanced infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2020, Medcare has treated more than 180 children with SMA, welcoming families from Iran, Turkey, Nepal, Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Lebanon, India, and Ethiopia, reinforcing Dubai\u2019s role as a strategic global hub for medical tourism and paediatric genetic care.<\/p>\n

\u201cOlder and heavier patients can now benefit from transformative therapy,\u201d said Dr. Vivek Mundada, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist. \u201cThis shifts SMA care beyond infant survival toward preserving mobility, independence, and respiratory function in older patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Medcare delivers SMA care through a multidisciplinary model encompassing neurology, pulmonology, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, genetic counselling, and long-term follow-up for international patients.<\/p>\n

Aligned with the UAE\u2019s medical tourism vision, Medcare, part of Aster DM Healthcare, continues to invest in advanced technologies, specialised units, and clinical talent to provide timely, high-quality care for rare and complex conditions, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The newly licensed intrathecal gene therapy expands life-changing treatment options for children and adults affected by SMA Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully administered a pioneering intrathecal gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to Hulus, a three-year-old patient from Turkey. This milestone positions Medcare among the first private healthcare providers worldwide to offer …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10813,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[9,1310,1392,15],"class_list":["post-10812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-business","tag-general","tag-health","tag-tech"],"yoast_head":"\nUAE\u2019s Medcare treats first international SMA patient with revolutionary intrathecal gene therapy - Magazine Shams Al Yaoum<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/shams-alyaoum.com\/en\/uaes-medcare-treats-first-international-sma-patient-with-revolutionary-intrathecal-gene-therapy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UAE\u2019s Medcare treats first international SMA patient with revolutionary intrathecal gene therapy - Magazine Shams Al Yaoum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The newly licensed intrathecal gene therapy expands life-changing treatment options for children and adults affected by SMA Medcare Women & Children Hospital has successfully administered a pioneering intrathecal gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to Hulus, a three-year-old patient from Turkey. 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