KMC becomes first in Qatar to offer stem cell therapy to public
Tribune News Network
Doha
The Korean Medical Center (KMC) has officially launched Qatar's first widely accessible stem cell therapy programme, offering a groundbreaking, non-surgical treatment for early-stage joint degeneration.
While stem cell therapy has previously been available only to niche groups, this marks the first time any eligible patient can undergo live stem cell therapy in the country.
Led by Dr. Youngwoong Back, head of the Spine and Joint Center at KMC, the programme offers a minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement for patients suffering from cartilage defects, early-stage osteoarthritis, or ligament injuries.
The treatment uses live stem cells extracted from the patient's own bone marrow, injected directly into the affected joint to halt further cartilage deterioration and relieve pain.
'One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people wait until the pain is unbearable before they seek treatment,' said Dr. Back. 'But by then, we're often dealing with advanced, irreversible degeneration. Stem cell therapy isn't about turning back time, it's about intervening early, when the body still has the biological capacity to respond.'
'By harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow and reinjecting them into damaged joints, we aim to halt the inflammatory cascade that leads to cartilage erosion.These cells do not rebuild cartilage from scratch, but they create a supportive environment that promotes tissue stabilisation, reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and slows down further degeneration. It's not a miracle—it's science applied with precision and timing. For patients in the early and middle stages, this could mean the difference between preserving years of mobility and facing inevitable surgical intervention,' he added.
With over 13 years of experience, Dr. Back is a Korean board-certified orthopaedic surgeon affiliated with South Korea's prestigious Asan Medical Center.
He is a member of the Korean Society of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and has advanced his training in orthopaedic care at the Mayo Clinic (USA) and across the UAE. At KMC, he now brings this expertise to Qatar, tailoring treatments to Qatar's growing demand for preventative and regenerative joint care.
What sets KMC's stem cell therapy apart is its accessibility, precision, and scientific credibility. For the first time in Qatar, live stem cell therapy is accessible to the public. While the treatment is especially effective for individuals with early and middle-stage joint degeneration, such as those diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3, it is not restricted to them. This broad availability marks a major shift in how regenerative care is delivered in the country.
The therapy itself is a game-changer. It is a needle-based procedure performed without general anaesthesia or the need for an operating room. Bone marrow is extracted from the patient's pelvic bone, and live stem cells are reinjected into the affected joint, helping to halt cartilage breakdown. Most patients report no pain during the injection and only mild discomfort on the donor site the following morning.
Backed by scientific partnerships with EHL Bio and GC Genome, Korea's leaders in regenerative research, KMC's approach ensures that global innovation meets local care. Results speak for themselves: over 90 to 95 percent of patients with early-stage joint degeneration who underwent stem cell therapy reported significant pain relief and restored mobility within weeks.
For the first time, cutting-edge stem cell therapy is no longer out of reach—it's right here in Qatar, ready to change lives.
'This is not just a medical first, it's a statement of intent,' said Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO, Korean Medical Center. 'By making stem cell therapy immediately available to the public, we're setting a new benchmark for what healthcare access should look like in Qatar and the region. For too long, regenerative treatments have been confined to niche cases. KMC changes that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH boosts health tech assessment in Qatar
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently organised a high-level workshop to enhance national capacities in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and health policy in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Hoffmann-La Roche. The workshop formed part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to entrench evidence-based decision-making across healthcare sectors and to promote long-term sustainability and resilience within Qatar's health system. The workshop aimed to strengthen national capabilities in HTA and health policy. Establishing a dedicated national unit in this field and developing a comprehensive assessment framework with clear standards are part of the twelfth outcome, 'Excellence in Health Research, Development, and Innovation,' under the third priority, 'Efficiency and Resilience of the Health System,' in the National Health Strategy 2024–2030. The workshop reflected the ministry's commitment to ensuring the effective and equitable allocation of health resources, supporting innovation through effective governance of emerging technologies, and enhancing the overall resilience and sustainability of the health system. It also underscored the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving national health priorities. These efforts align with the goals of the Human Development Pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the priorities of the National Health Strategy, particularly in building a high-performing, efficient, person-centred, data-driven health system that is responsive to current and future health needs. The workshop was opened by Dr Anas Hamad, head of the National Health Technology Assessment Unit Project within the National Health Strategy at the Ministry of Public Health, who emphasised the importance of concerted efforts to achieve the ministry's objectives under its 2024–2030 strategy, improve health system outcomes, and build specialised national capacities in this field. He said, 'The project to establish a national Health Technology Assessment (HTA) unit is based on the third priority of the National Health Strategy, which focuses on efficiency and resilience, and is part of the twelfth outcome relating to excellence in research, development, and innovation. The HTA project is a pivotal initiative to develop an integrated and reliable framework to support transparent, evidence-based decision-making within Qatar's health system. 'Through systematic evaluation of the clinical, economic, and social impacts of modern health technologies, we aim to ensure the best health value for citizens and residents, and to enhance the sustainability of Qatar's health system. This workshop is a foundational step for this project, which will contribute to achieving a sustainable, high-quality, efficient, patient-centred, and prudent health system that meets the needs of current and future generations.' Dr Ahmed Tawfiq, general manager of Hoffmann-La Roche in the Gulf region, stressed the importance of unifying efforts between the public and private sectors to develop sustainability frameworks aligned with shared objectives. He said, 'Today, we are working with our partners at the Ministry of Public Health and the London School of Economics and Political Science to achieve a shared goal of improving healthcare in Qatar, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. By building capacity in health technology assessment, we ensure that the right treatments reach the right patients at the right time, relying on the latest scientific evidence and modern technologies.' Professor Elias Mossialos, chair in Health Policy and director of the LSE Health Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: 'The LSE is proud to deliver an intensive two-day training programme for the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, focusing on key trends in healthcare, disease prevention and early diagnosis, and economic evaluation in healthcare as an essential tool for improving system performance and decision-making, in addition to HTA programmes and value-based frameworks introduced by health innovations.' Through lectures and discussions over two days, delivered and moderated by Professor Elias Mossialos, Dr Panos Kanavos, and Dr Alex Carter, the workshop provided participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the frameworks, capabilities, and key factors required to build an effective HTA structure. The focus was on applying real-world evidence to inform policy and investment decisions, and laying the foundation for the systematic and organised use of economic evaluation within Qatar's health policy framework.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Magnetic anastomosis surgery preformed at HMC for obesity patients
Tribune News Network Doha In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a first of its kind in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, a surgical team at Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) National Bariatric Centre has successfully performed two advanced modified duodenal switch procedures using magnetic anastomosis technology. The surgeries were conducted on two patients in their thirties who had previously undergone bariatric surgery, but experienced excessive weight regain. Both procedures were performed at HMC's Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital by a specialised medical team, underscoring HMC's commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies and innovations in bariatric surgery. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwari, Director of HMC's National Bariatric Centre, said: 'The new technique, known as the Magnet Anastomosis System and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), uses medical magnets to safely and accurately connect parts of the small intestine without the need for surgical stapling or sutures. 'This method helps reduce the risks of leakage and bleeding, accelerates tissue healing, shortens operative time, and minimises the risk for postoperative complications. It also eliminates the need for permanent metal implants in the body, which contributes to further enhancing patient safety.' The two patients had previously undergone traditional bariatric procedures but faced challenges in maintaining their weight loss, which required a more advanced surgical intervention. 'The magnetic anastomosis technology was used as a safe and effective treatment option, with initial results showing promising responses and improved health outcomes. Modified duodenal switch surgery is considered one of the most effective procedures for weight loss in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 50, or in those who did not achieve satisfactory results with other procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, as well as patients with type 2 diabetes,' added Dr. Al Kuwari. Dr Moataz Basha, senior consultant Bariatric and Robotic Surgery at HMC, said: 'This innovative technique significantly simplified the surgical procedure, especially during the delicate stage of creating intestinal connections, which is traditionally one of the most complex steps. The new technique uses two small medical magnets, each with a diameter of no more than 4cm. The first magnet is swallowed orally by the patient and monitored via radiographic imaging to confirm its arrival in the small intestine. At a later stage, under anaesthesia, the second magnet is introduced with a minor surgical procedure. The two magnets are aligned and connected via imaging, which results in a natural digestive connection being formed without the traditional but more invasive surgical intervention. The magnets naturally exit the body after approximately three weeks, requiring no additional procedures.' Dr. Basha emphasized that this surgical achievement highlights the expertise of HMC's medical teams and reinforces the Corporation's position as a leading regional centre in the field of bariatric surgery.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
KMC Becomes First in Qatar to Offer Stem Cell Therapy to the Public
The Korean Medical Center (KMC) has officially launched Qatar's first widely accessible stem cell therapy program, offering a groundbreaking, non-surgical treatment for early-stage joint degeneration. While stem cell therapy has previously been available only to niche groups, this marks the first time any eligible patient can undergo live stem cell therapy in the country. Led by Dr. Youngwoong Back, Head of the Spine & Joint Center at KMC, the program offers a minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement for patients suffering from cartilage defects, early-stage osteoarthritis, or ligament injuries. The treatment uses live stem cells extracted from the patient's own bone marrow, injected directly into the affected joint to halt further cartilage deterioration and relieve pain. 'One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people wait until the pain is unbearable before they seek treatment,' said Dr. Back. 'But by then, we're often dealing with advanced, irreversible degeneration. Stem cell therapy isn't about turning back time, it's about intervening early, when the body still has the biological capacity to respond.' 'By harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow and reinjecting them into damaged joints, we aim to halt the inflammatory cascade that leads to cartilage erosion. These cells do not rebuild cartilage from scratch, but they create a supportive environment that promotes tissue stabilization, reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, and slows down further degeneration. It's not a miracle—it's science applied with precision and timing. For patients in the early and middle stages, this could mean the difference between preserving years of mobility and facing inevitable surgical intervention,' he added. With over 13 years of experience, Dr. Back is a Korean board-certified orthopedic surgeon affiliated with South Korea's prestigious Asan Medical Center. He is a member of the Korean Society of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and has advanced his training in orthopedic care at the Mayo Clinic (USA) and across the UAE. At KMC, he now brings this expertise to Qatar, tailoring treatments to Qatar's growing demand for preventative and regenerative joint care. What sets KMC's stem cell therapy apart is its accessibility, precision, and scientific credibility. For the first time in Qatar, live stem cell therapy is accessible to the public. While the treatment is especially effective for individuals with early and middlestage joint degeneration, such as those diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3, it is not restricted to them. This broad availability marks a major shift in how regenerative care is delivered in the country. The therapy itself is a game-changer. It is a needle-based procedure performed without general anesthesia or the need for an operating room. Bone marrow is extracted from the patient's pelvic bone, and live stem cells are reinjected into the affected joint, helping to halt cartilage breakdown. Most patients report no pain during the injection and only mild discomfort on the donor site the following morning. Backed by scientific partnerships with EHL Bio and GC Genome, Korea's leaders in regenerative research, KMC's approach ensures that global innovation meets local care. Results speak for themselves: over 90–95% of patients with early-stage joint degeneration who underwent stem cell therapy reported significant pain relief and restored mobility within weeks. For the first time, cutting-edge stem cell therapy is no longer out of reach—it's right here in Qatar, ready to change lives. 'This is not just a medical first, it's a statement of intent,' said Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO, Korean Medical Center. 'By making stem cell therapy immediately available to the public, we're setting a new benchmark for what healthcare access should look like in Qatar and the region. For too long, regenerative treatments have been confined to niche cases. KMC changes that.' He added, "The launch of this therapy reflects our patient-centric approach above all, a commitment to meeting patient needs with meaningful access, timely intervention, and individualized care. While the science behind stem cell therapy is well established, what sets KMC apart is how we deliver it: responsibly, accessibly, and at scale. This is what modern healthcare should be, defined not just by technology, but by its relevance to the people it serves.
