The Health and Medical Education Authority at the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine has announced the official admission of Warith International Oncology Hospital and Al-Mujtaba Hospital for Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation into the St. Jude Global Alliance.

The development follows the signing of a scientific and medical cooperation agreement with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States, marking a significant step toward bringing advanced international treatment protocols in hematologic oncology and bone marrow transplantation to Iraq.

In a statement obtained by the Holy Shrine’s official website, the Health and Medical Education Authority said the partnership is the result of three years of continuous efforts and significant clinical outcomes achieved by the hospitals’ medical teams, including high recovery rates among patients.

The Authority explained that joining the St. Jude Global Alliance aims to raise the standard of care available to children with cancer in Iraq and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad to receive specialized treatment.

Under the agreement, the two hospitals will adopt medical guidelines and treatment protocols used at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also exchanging expertise and knowledge in advanced approaches to pediatric oncology and hematology. The partnership will additionally support fellowship opportunities, continuing medical education and training programs for Iraqi healthcare professionals, as well as joint scientific research in pediatric oncology and hematology.

The Authority noted that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has more than six decades of experience in research and academic-based medical care and has achieved a reported patient survival rate of more than 80%. It emphasized that applying these standards in the holy city of Karbala will help create a treatment environment for Iraqi children comparable to those offered by leading international medical centers.

The Imam Hussain Holy Shrine continues to develop its healthcare and scientific institutions through partnerships with leading international medical centers. These initiatives form part of its broader vision to expand access to advanced medical care, strengthen specialized healthcare services in Iraq and contribute to the development of the country’s health sector.