The Korean Medical Center (KMC) in Qatar has launched the nation’s first publicly accessible stem cell therapy programme, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of regenerative medicine in the region. The new offering provides a non-surgical alternative to traditional joint treatments, particularly for individuals in the early to middle stages of joint degeneration.
Previously limited to select groups, stem cell therapy is now available to all eligible patients in Qatar. The initiative is led by Dr. Youngwoong Back, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with over 13 years of experience and affiliations with South Korea’s Asan Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic in the United States.
The minimally invasive procedure involves harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow, which are then injected directly into the affected joint. The goal is to slow cartilage deterioration, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain—without the need for general anaesthesia or surgical intervention.
“Too often, patients wait until joint pain becomes unbearable,” Dr. Back explained. “Stem cell therapy is not about reversing time, but about intervening early—before irreversible damage sets in. This approach preserves mobility and delays or even eliminates the need for joint replacement surgery.”
Dr. Back emphasised that while the treatment does not regenerate cartilage entirely, it creates an optimal environment for tissue stabilisation and helps modulate the body’s inflammatory response.
KMC’s programme is particularly geared toward patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 2 or 3 osteoarthritis, but is not limited to those groups. The treatment is performed using a needle-based technique, typically causing no pain during the procedure and only minor discomfort at the bone marrow extraction site.
“Our approach is grounded in rigorous science and real-world results,” noted Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO of KMC. “Over 90–95% of patients with early-stage joint issues who received stem cell therapy reported significant improvements in pain and mobility within a matter of weeks.”
The therapy is backed by partnerships with leading South Korean biotech firms, EHL Bio and GC Genome, ensuring that cutting-edge regenerative research is translated into localised, patient-centred care in Qatar.
“This is more than just a clinical offering—it’s a paradigm shift,” Dr. Gul added. “By making this therapy publicly available, KMC is setting a new standard for healthcare accessibility in Qatar. Regenerative medicine shouldn’t be reserved for the few. It must be deployed meaningfully, responsibly, and at scale.”
The launch aligns with Qatar’s broader healthcare vision to enhance preventative care and deliver innovative medical solutions that meet the needs of a growing and diverse population.
