The Health and Medical Education Authority at the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has announced plans to establish what it describes as the world’s largest integrated bone marrow transplant project in terms of capacity and scope.

Dr. Haidar Al-Abidi, Head of the Authority, stated that the project is designed to include 100 transplant units, making it one of the most extensive facilities of its kind globally. He explained that the center will support a full range of procedures, including both autologous (self) and allogeneic (donor) transplants, in addition to advanced cellular therapies aligned with international medical standards.

Al-Abidi noted that the project aims to address the growing needs of patients requiring complex and specialized treatments, significantly reducing the need for medical travel abroad and strengthening Iraq’s capacity for advanced healthcare.

He added that the initiative builds on existing national expertise, including ongoing cooperation with the Bone Marrow Transplant Center at Baghdad’s Medical City. While current centers provide a solid foundation, he emphasized that this project represents a major step toward expanding and modernizing the sector.

The Authority also aims to secure internationally recognized accreditation for the center, a distinction held by only a limited number of institutions in the region, ensuring high standards of safety, quality, and reliability in treatment.

This project forms part of the Authority’s broader efforts to advance Iraq’s healthcare system and provide high-quality medical services—either free of charge or at subsidized costs—in line with its humanitarian mission.