Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Abu Dhabi has once again proven its continual growth in healthcare as the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi (DoH) successfully provided gene transfer therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) for the first time in the emirate. Carried out at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, the treatment was administered to the emirate's first DMD patient under the supervision of specialised medical team led by a consultant paediatric neurologist. Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which usually affects young boys, is a rare, genetic muscular disease characterised by the gradual weakening of the muscles, including skeletal and heart muscles. It is fatal as most people with the disease die from lung or heart diseases caused by it. Delandistrogene moxeparvovec is a single-dose infusion that will instruct the patient's cells to produce dystrophin protein, which is crucial for muscle function, to enhance the patient's muscle strength and quality of life. The treatment is provided to children ages 4-5 who have a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene, except those who have any deletions exon eight or exon nine of the DMD gene. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, said “This significant milestone marks a pioneering achievement in healthcare innovation, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s pivotal role in advancing global medical breakthroughs. Collaborating with partners to diagnose and effectively manage the treatment of DMD is of utmost importance. This proactive approach, both by DoH and its partners, underscores Abu Dhabi’s readiness to administer cutting-edge medical treatments, contributing to the growth of our medical tourism sector and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional and global healthcare hub.” As of April 2024, the UAE together with the US, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar are currently the only countries that approved delandistrogene moxeparvovec to treat DMD. FLE/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page