Matched Unrelated Donor Bone Marrow Transplant Achieves Milestone At Yas Clinic Abu Dhabi

Yas Clinic Khalifa City, working with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, has carried out a matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant for a 55-year-old Emirati patient. The complex procedure strengthens advanced haematology services in Abu Dhabi. Doctors report that the transplant went smoothly, and the patient is recovering in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, with discharge expected within two weeks.

The successful matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant comes as cancer and serious blood disorders increase worldwide, raising demand for advanced therapies. By completing this procedure within Abu Dhabi, healthcare providers reduce the need for patients to travel abroad and support families who prefer treatment in the region, within familiar cultural and social surroundings.

The patient, a 55-year-old Emirati woman, had been diagnosed with a serious blood disorder that required a bone marrow transplant as part of the treatment plan. Initial checks focused on the patient’s relatives, but no suitable family donor was found. This outcome led the clinical team to extend the search beyond the UAE.

Specialists at Yas Clinic Khalifa City and the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre then turned to international registries to identify a compatible donor. A comprehensive global search was launched across several databases. Eventually, a fully compatible, 100 percent matched unrelated donor was identified in the United States, allowing doctors to plan the transplant schedule in detail.

Once the donor was confirmed, teams in Abu Dhabi and the United States coordinated medical assessments, stem cell collection and logistics. Strict protocols helped protect cell quality during international transport. On arrival in Abu Dhabi, the stem cells were prepared for infusion according to transplant guidelines, with every stage monitored by haematology and transplant specialists.

The transplant infusion itself was described as straightforward, lasting between 30 minutes and one hour. Clinicians compared it to a standard blood-product infusion, although the preparation and monitoring were highly specialised. After the procedure, the patient remained under close observation in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, where recovery has progressed steadily according to the medical team.

This achievement also illustrates the broader growth of transplant and cancer care within Abu Dhabi’s healthcare network. Delivering such services locally supports national strategies to develop advanced medical capabilities. It also provides reassurance to patients across the UAE and wider region that complex haematology treatments can be accessed closer to home.

matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant Abu Dhabi medical leadership

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Yas Clinic, said, "This achievement reflects the strength and maturity of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. Successfully completing such a complex transplant requires not only medical expertise, but also seamless collaboration across teams, institutions, and international partners. I am incredibly proud of our clinicians, nurses, and support staff for their dedication and precision throughout this journey. Most importantly, this milestone gives patients in Abu Dhabi renewed access to advanced, life-saving treatments close to home, where they feel supported, safe, and cared for."

Consultant, Haematology & Bone Marrow Transplant, Dr. Inas El-Najjar, highlighted the complexity of donor matching through global databases. Dr. Inas El-Najjar said, "Reaching a fully matched donor for our patient through global registries was a detailed and rigorous journey, but every effort was worthwhile. Once the perfect match was confirmed, our collaboration with the centre in the United States ensured that the stem cells arrived safely and in optimal condition. The procedure went smoothly, and watching our patient recover brings us great satisfaction. This achievement expands the possibilities for many patients across Abu Dhabi."

Reflecting on the wider impact for clinical teams, Dr. Nameer Al-Saadawi, Consultant, Hematology / Deputy Chief Medical Officer, stated, "This achievement marks a proud moment for the healthcare community in Abu Dhabi. Completing such a complex matched unrelated donor transplant required seamless coordination with international partners and exceptional teamwork locally. Most importantly, it gave our patient renewed hope during a critical stage of her treatment. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s rising strength in advanced cancer and transplant care."

The matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplant at Yas Clinic Khalifa City, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, underscores Abu Dhabi’s growing role in advanced haematology and transplant medicine. The case demonstrates how international donor registries, coordinated logistics and local specialist teams can combine to offer life-saving options for patients facing severe blood disorders in the emirate.

With inputs from WAM