HMC's Kidney Transplant Program pioneers genomic medicine in Qatar

Doha, Qatar:A recent review of Hamad Medical Corporation s (HMC) Kidney Transplant Precision Medicine Program, launched in 2023, has highlighted its d...

Doha, Qatar: A recent review of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Kidney Transplant Precision Medicine Program, launched in 2023, has highlighted its dedication to ensuring the best outcomes possible for patients with the development of precision medicine.

The initiative, a first-of-its-kind program in Qatar, was designed to enhance patient safety, improve donor evaluation, and personalize post-transplant care. The program introduced advanced genetic testing into both donor and recipient assessments, helping to clarify diagnoses, guide donor eligibility, and tailor treatment plans for each individual. It represents a pioneering step at HMC, in Qatar, and beyond, toward integrating genomic medicine into clinical practice, ensuring safer and more effective kidney transplantation for high-risk patients.

Kidney disease affects approximately 850 million people worldwide, with a large proportion linked to genetic causes. In children, up to 70% of chronic kidney disease cases are hereditary. By introducing genetic testing into clinical practice, HMC has taken a pioneering step toward precision medicine, ensuring safer transplants and the future health of both recipients and donors.

Since the program’s launch, nearly 400 individuals (recipients, donors, and relatives) have received genetic counselling from January 2023 to May 2025; over 100 transplant recipients were referred for testing, with 95% completing evaluations; genetic testing introduced in May 2023 removed financial barriers for patients and families; protection of potential donors carrying hereditary disease genes were identified in multiple cases, allowing doctors to prevent transplant complications and safeguard potential donors; and an HMC-approved research project and DNA bank were established to advance local and regional genetic research.