Al-Warith Oncology Hospital in Karbala has achieved a historic milestone with the successful completion of Iraq’s first bone marrow transplant. The procedure saved the life of a child suffering from leukemia.

Dr. Hanafi Hafedh, a Professor of Pediatric Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Cairo University and Head of the Pediatric Cancer Department at Al-Warith Foundation, confirmed the success, explaining that the transplant involved replacing the patient’s damaged bone marrow with healthy marrow from a family donor due to tissue compatibility.

Dr. Hafedh also highlighted that the use of modern diagnostic and treatment methods has significantly improved cure rates for children, reaching up to 80%. In some cases, early detection can push the success rate beyond 90%.