Today's Edition
AL AIN (ALETIHAD)
Under the supervision of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Tawam Hospital, one of SEHA’s facilities and a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, has successfully introduced an innovative treatment for idiopathic pericarditis and Still’s disease.
In a statement on Tuesday, SEHA stated that this achievement marks the first time such treatment has been made available in the UAE and the GCC region. The pioneering therapy, which uses the drug Rilonacept, led to the recovery of two young Emirati patients who had been suffering from rare, treatment-resistant conditions. This milestone reaffirms SEHA’s commitment to delivering patient-centred care and further strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in healthcare excellence.
Both patients received advanced treatment for recurrent idiopathic pericarditis and Still’s disease — a rare autoimmune disorder in adults that is resistant to conventional therapies. Their successful recovery represents one of the first uses of Rilonacept in the Gulf region for the treatment of complex, hard-to-treat rare diseases.
Clinical Effectiveness
Rilonacept is a biological therapy which inhibits interleukin-1, the protein causing destructive inflammation, to treat symptoms of rare diseases, such as pain, sudden recurrent fever, respiratory distress, rash, swelling, and damage to important body organs. The therapy has also demonstrated both effectiveness and improved quality of life for patients with rare and complicated diseases.
According to the statement, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi approved the new drug and registered the drug product number. The approval was granted quickly, while simultaneously, a continuing review of the clinical construction within the Life Sciences Sector was being carried out to assess its clinical effectiveness. All interventions provided innovative therapies in a timely manner, ensuring eligible patients receive the intervention based on an appropriate payment plan, while improving quality of care and efficiency across the entire emirate.
Dr. Khalid Abdalla Alnaqbi, Consultant Physician & Chief of Rheumatology at Tawam Hospital, said: “Both patients had sought medical attention abroad. We are proud to deliver the latest innovative treatments here in the UAE. This achievement highlights that our hospital has become one of the main tertiary referral hubs for complex cases in the region, providing world-class care in immune rheumatic diseases.”
Regional Leadership in Innovative Healthcare
Dr. Dalal Saeed Al Mansoori, Chief Medical Officer, Tawam Hospital, added: “Our priority is always the patient. By making cutting-edge therapies available locally, we are not only improving outcomes but also giving hope to patients and their families facing challenging conditions. This is the future of healthcare in the UAE, delivering global standards of care within our communities."
This milestone pushes SEHA to the forefront of regional leadership in innovative healthcare, delivering advanced, evidence-based strategies for rare and complex diseases and enabling the UAE's vision of world-class medical care at home.
