With a voice mixed with pride and happiness, 24-year-old Amjad Al Mahari spoke about his treatment journey of the sickle cell disease through a bone marrow transplant using CRISPR gene-editing technology.
Mr Al Mahari is the first sickle cell patient outside the US to be publicly announced as having received the treatment successfully.
“I cannot describe my feeling of happiness about this achievement credited to Bahrain,” he told our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej, paying tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his close follow-up of his case since starting the treatment last year.
Meanwhile, his mother said she was overwhelmed by the feeling of extreme happiness and pride in her son who showed courage and enthusiasm to embark on this journey to get rid of his pain and send hope to other patients.
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s visit to Mr Al Mahari was highly praised by citizens who said it reflected the leadership’s support and care for the well-being of the Bahraini people.
The Royal Medical Services (RMS) announced that the patient had been discharged from the hospital after successfully completing the treatment.
RMS Commander Brigadier General Dr Shaikh Fahad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that the medical achievement by the Bahrain Oncology Centre reflects the kingdom’s development in providing advanced treatments.
He attributed this to the vision and directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continued follow-up of HRH Prince Salman.
He added that the RMS remains committed to offering the latest treatments and enhancing collaboration with global health institutions and organisations to ensure the highest standards of healthcare for all citizens and residents.
Mr Al Mahari also expressed gratitude to His Majesty, HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the RMS medical team for their care and support throughout his treatment.
He highlighted Bahrain’s advanced medical care and healthcare facilities, noting their key role in his successful recovery.
The Bahrain Society for Sickle Cell Disease Patients separately commended the continuous follow-up of HRH Prince Salman, and his continued efforts to provide the best levels of healthcare and treatment to all patients, especially sickle cell anemia patients in Bahrain.
The society stressed that the success achieved in the field of treating chronic diseases and hereditary blood diseases has a great impact on patients and their families, as it instills hope in their souls to successfully complete treatment and recover.
In this regard, society secretary general Zakaria Al Kadhim stressed that HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s visit today to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the RMS and his reassurance about the health of Mr Al Mahari is an extension of the directives of His Majesty to follow up on the latest treatment developments that contribute to the citizens of the country receiving the best levels of health and treatment care.
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