.jpg?20260326')
Bahrain could become the first country in the region to introduce a life-saving medical device for critically ill children suffering from sepsis, kidney failure and multi-organ dysfunction, if MPs have their way.
The Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD), recently used with remarkable success in the United States, is now at the centre of a parliamentary proposal submitted by the Strategic Thinking Bloc.
The device gained global attention after it was used to save the life of a child in Michigan who had less than a five per cent chance of survival due to severe septic shock and organ failure. Integrated with kidney dialysis machines, the SCD works by modulating the immune response, and calming overactive white blood cells that would otherwise worsen inflammation and organ damage.
The proposal is being spearheaded by bloc president and Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom, who believes the device would represent a significant leap forward in critical care medicine in Bahrain.
Mr Al Salloom
“SCD’s success in the US shows that we now have the tools to save children who previously had almost no chance of survival,” Mr Al Salloom said.
“Bahrain must be at the forefront of medical innovation in the Gulf, especially in paediatric intensive care.
“It is our responsibility to explore all avenues that can improve health outcomes, especially for our youngest citizens.”
He vowed to personally follow up with the relevant ministries and medical bodies to fast-track trials and secure necessary regulatory clearances.
The proposal is currently under review by the services committee in Parliament, with vice-chairman Mohammed Al Olaiwi calling the initiative ‘vital’ for the kingdom.
Mr Al Olaiwi
“We are not just proposing to bring a device, we are proposing to give children in Bahrain a fighting chance to survive life-threatening conditions,” said Mr Al Olaiwi.
“This is about building a future where our healthcare system can respond faster and more effectively to critical cases. If adopted, Bahrain could set a regional benchmark for paediatric care,” he added.
The Selective Cytopheretic Device is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has undergone multiple clinical trials, including a recent multicentre study published in the Journal of Paediatric Nephrology. The study involved 22 critically ill children undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and showed a survival rate of 77pc, significantly higher than historical averages. Notably, none of the recorded serious adverse events in the trial were attributed to the SCD, underlining the device’s strong safety profile.
MPs are also discussing potential partnerships with the manufacturer and international hospitals to establish Bahrain as a testing and training centre for the technology, further strengthening the kingdom’s medical innovation ecosystem.
If approved, the move could pave the way for use of the device in government hospitals and private healthcare institutions in Bahrain.
The device
The Health Ministry is expected to submit its assessment of the proposal within the coming weeks, with legislators calling for urgency in reviewing the matter.
“Time is of the essence,” stressed Mr Al Olaiwi. “For every day we delay, we risk losing the opportunity to save more lives.”
The Selective Cytopheretic Device is integrated into CRRT systems used to treat patients with acute kidney injury and sepsis. It helps regulate white blood cells during dialysis, calming the immune system and reducing the risk of a deadly inflammatory cascade known as a ‘cytokine storm’.
The treatment has shown significant promise in preventing organ damage and improving survival in paediatric patients who traditionally face a high risk of mortality in intensive care units.
“If all goes according to plan, Bahrain could see the first use of the device in a paediatric ICU within months, marking a milestone in regional medical advancement,” said Mr Al Olaiwi.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))