Mrs. Asmaa Al-Assad pays visit to Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Center

Mrs. Asmaa Al-Assad visited on Monday the first center for blood stem cell transplantation and therapy for children in Syria. The center is considered  the fruitful result  of 15 years of work and effort despite the siege imposed on the country.

Accompanied by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Bassam Ibrahim, Mrs. Asma al-Assad was briefed on the final preparations for the launch of the center in the coming weeks. The center will treat children infected with blood cancers and other cancers, hereditary blood diseases and congenital immunodeficiency diseases.

In an interview with the center’s officials and representatives of the relevant authorities and ministries, Mrs. Asma said: “After more than 15 years, we were able to complete this important medical and national achievement, despite the fact that some thought it was not possible due to the conditions of war and siege, especially that basic or simple medical equipment is forbidden to us. But with will, there is nothing impossible, and with strenuous efforts from different sides, we were able to break the siege. The first center for stem cell transplantation for children in Syria is scheduled to open soon. Certainly this will contribute to alleviating the pain and suffering of children who have cancer while at the same time it will  increase  cure rates.”

“It was clear through my tour that the center was able to match the international standards of similar centers,” Mrs. Asmaa added, expressing her pleasure that the center was able to impose  medical rather than  social isolation through the presence of the mother with her child and the visit of his families throughout the treatment period.” This will relieve the great psychological pressure that the child is exposed to throughout the treatment period.”

Mrs. Asmaa voiced her optimism about the future of treating pediatric cancer in Syria.She said ,”this in turn requires us to see the center as part of an integrated system for cancer treatment in Syria. In fact, this is what we sought through the National Cancer Control Plan, which was approved by the Cabinet and entered into force in 2019, nearly two years ago.”

Ms. Asmaa underlined the necessity of carrying out specific academic disciplines in universities and providing the sector with cadres to ensure its continuity.

Mrs. Asmaa highlighted the urgency of coordination with all departments of the Children’s Hospital  in order to ensure the best outcome for the patient at the lowest costs and  raise the level of service provided to all children in Syria. She asserted the importance of attaching great personal importance and care to the patients .

Mrs. Asmaa concluded that our success is attributed to cooperation and coordination among all Syrian sectors.

Inas Abdulkarem