Senior Registrar -  AlSabah Hospital

Dr. Ahmad AlSaffar is a Clinical Hematologist and Senior Registrar at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait. He serves as the Chairperson of the Policy and Procedure Committee at the hospital and is the Secretary of the Kuwait Hematology Association. Dr. AlSaffar is also a Clinical Tutor at the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS). A graduate of the University of Malta, he completed his residency in hematology through the Kuwait Board of Hematology. Dr. AlSaffar is actively involved in clinical practice, medical education, and health policy development.

Consultant Maternal Fetal Medicine - Royale Hayat Hospital

Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a subspeciality in Maternal Feral Medicine. Taking care of high risk pregnancies (the risk maybe me to mother, fetus or both). -Medical degree from Aberdeen medical school Scotland -OBGYN Residency McGill university Canada -Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Toronto university, Mountsinai Hospital Canada

Dr. Abdullah Alotaibi is a Senior Specialist in Hematology and the Head of the Clinical Hematology Unit at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait. Graduated from faculty of medicine, Kuwait University in 2011 and Board certified hematologist by Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS) since 2017. He Has extensive experience in the management of benign hematology disorders, with a particular interest in hemoglobinopathies.

CONSULTANT - KUWAIT CENTRAL BLOOD BANK

Mona Hamdy is a Professor of Pediatric Hematology, Cairo University and a Consultant of Hematology at the Health Insurance Organization and General Organization for teaching hospitals and Institutes (GOTHI), Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt. Professor Hamdy is the director of the Pediatric Hematology& BMT unit of Cairo University. She is a winner of the Excellence Award in Medical Sciences and ‘The First Degree Medal of Excellence’ from the Egyptian President. She is a holder of a Master degree in Clinical Research Administration, Walden University, USA.

Professor Hamdy is a co- founder and director of the Kasr Al Ainy Center for Clinical Research at Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University with 24 years of experience in research. She has been assigned the position of an Expert at the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority.  She is a member of The Technical Committee for Legislative Reform (for blood transfusion law), Ministry of Justice. She is a scientific board member of two Presidential initiatives; 100 million health for screening for anemia, short stature and obesity among school’s children all over Egypt and the Presidential initiative for Premarital screening.

Prof. Hamdy is a member of the higher committees for drugs, research, prophylaxis in hemophilia and handicapping at the Health Insurance Organization, MOHP. She is the founder of the first hematology center for children and adults with thalassemia and hemophilia in GOTHI. She is the ex-deputy director of the Center of Social and Preventive Center, Cairo University Hospitals.

             Prof Mona was able to communicate with the University of South California and Telemed Foundation, USA for several educational video conferences and a fundraiser for the Children Hospitals of Cairo University (300 thousand USD raised).  She is the founder of the Patients against Thalassemia group (PAT) which raises awareness about the prevention of thalassemia and sickle cell anemia among the general population in different areas in Egypt. Several activities were done using mass media and by visiting schools and universities in addition to arranging awareness campaigns in the Oasis and rural areas.

Professor Amal Mohamed El Beshlawy is a distinguished Professor of Pediatric Hematology with over four decades of experience in the diagnosis and management of hematological disorders, particularly thalassemia and Gaucher disease. She earned her MBBCh in 1967, followed by diplomas in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, and a Doctorate in Pediatrics in 1974. Prof. El Beshlawy founded the Department of Hematology and Marrow Transplantation in Cairo and has served as a key member and representative in numerous international hematology societies, including TIF, EHA, ASH, and ISH. She has published over 180 international research papers, spoken at over 80 conferences, and has received multiple national and international awards for her contributions to medical science and pediatric hematology.

Bashar Adnan Karmi. Date of birth: 29/5/1960 Tulkarm- Palestine, married with five children.

Physician / Clinical Pathologist, MD -. USSR 1985

                Residency at Jordan University Hospital 1987- 1991

                Jordanian Board in clinical pathology 1991

                MSC. Clinical Pathology Medical Microbiology & Clinical Immunology –Jordan University 1991

Professional Experience

• 1986-87 private clinic.
• 1987-1991 Residency at Jordan University Hospital –Pathology Department.
• 1991-1998 Head of Laboratory Services and Blood Banking in West Bank and thereafter in Palestinian Ministry of Health.
• 1996-1998- Head of Ramallah Laboratory in Medicare Co.
• 1998- 2017 Medicare General Manager & Medicare Board Vice Chairman.
• 2018- Now Medicare Board Chairman and Medicare CEO.

Membership- member of Jordan Medical Association since 1986.

Founder and Board member of Palestinian Thalassemia Patient’s Friends Society- 1996.

Languages: Arabic, English, Russian, Hebrow.

Teaching experience- part time in Al Quds University 1992-2000

                                 - Part time in Ber Zeit University 2000-200

Published articles:-

• Assessment of gonadal and thyroid function for adult transfusion dependent Beta thalassemia patients in Palestine

          Kamal Dumaidi, Amer AlJawabreh, Bashar Karmi- 2015.

• Factors associated with continuing emergence of Beta thalassemia major despite prenatal testing: a cross- sectional survey

     Haleama Al Sabbah,1 Sarah Khan,1 Abdallah Hamadna,2 Lamia Abu Ghazaleh, Bashar Karmi

• Quality of life of Thalassemia Patients in the West Bank of Palestine,

Pamela Kohlbry PhD, RN, Bashar Karmi, MD, BSC, Robert C. Yamashita PhD.

4) Quality of Life of Thalassemia Patients Living in the West Bank and Gaza  2022                        

- new look and evaluation                          

Unpublished studies:-

• “Rubella immune status of Palestinian women. A study for more than 800 ladies tested for Rubella IgG in the period of 2002 and 2017.
• Detection of drug abuse overview- Study of Medicare laboratory results 2005-2010.
• The facts considering blood plasma “converted- halal” substance from scientific point of view. Kuwait 2014, Third Gulf Halal Conference.
• The status of Vitamin B12 among Palestinian population, study between 2001-2015 years in Medicare results.

-Director of Diwanyah Thalassaemia Center 1998-2016

Member of Thalassaemia Control Counsel in Iraq (MOH).

•⁠ ⁠TIF member since 2008.

TATAF founding member

•⁠ ⁠Participant, attendant, or speaker in (72) national, regional, and international conferences (on Thalassaemia and other hemoglobinopathies) around the world.

•⁠ ⁠Establish Diwanyah Thalassaemia Association in 2008, becoming a voting member of TIF in 2016

•⁠ ⁠Co-Adviser for practical research work for students of MSc and PhD in hemoglobinopathies.

•⁠ ⁠Statistical data organizer for hemoglobinopathies in Iraq (MOH) since 2013.
•⁠ ⁠Member of (ASH, EHA, ISOH).

-Volunteer expert physician in the Hereditary Anaemia at Diwanyah Thalassaemia Center "Since 2016.

TIF Board Member, TATAF Founding Member, Administrative Director at Chronic Care Center

Holder of Masters in Public Health in Health Services Administration from the American University of Beirut and completed a Fellowship in Health Services Administration in Henry Ford Health Systems, Michigan, USA. Appointed at the Chronic Care Center, the only specialized Center in the treatment of Thalassemia in Lebanon as the Administrative Director in 1994 and still holds position to-date. Involved in the On-going National Prevention program for Thalassemia launched by the Center and the Ministry of Social Affairs in 1994. Has a special interest in the organization of Disease specific Associations, in strategies, programs and evaluation of Prevention and management of hemoglobinopathies and has several publications in this field. Has been a founding member of the TIF Arab Thalassemia Associations ( TATAF). Currently a board member in the Thalassemia International Federation and ISPOR Lebanon chapter board member (Professional Society for Health economics and research outcomes).

Head of Clinical Psychology at Almanara, KCMH -  Kuwait center for mental health

Dr Amthal is an experienced clinical psychologist and therapist with a vast expertise in child and adolescent mental health. She is a graduate of Kuwait University. She then obtained her Master degree in Eating Disorders. In 2019, she got her PhD from Alexandria University. She has numerous publications in PubMed-indexed International Peer-reviewed Journals. She has been a keynote speakers in prestigious conferences and used to be a popular guest on Media.

Founder & Clinical Director - SHORE Consultancy

She is the founder of SHORE CONSULTANCY, home of wellbeing and human innovation that offers psychological, educational, and psycho-organizational consultancies for the betterment of humanity through the creative process. She is a professor at Kuwait University and the Chairperson of the Design department. Dr. Amar is also a civil society leader and has been working towards women empowerment since 2015. She has been awarded in 2025 as one of pioneering women societal change by the International Women Organization. - PhD in Clinical Art Therapy, Florida State University, USA - PhD in Arts Education, Florida State University, USA - MSc in Clinical Therapy: LMHP & Family Therapy Certification, FSU, USA - MFA in Design for Wellbeing, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, USA - BArts in Visual Communication, American University in Cairo, Eg

Clinical Dietitian -  Koc-Ahmadi Hospital

Ghadeer Alazmi is a clinical dietitian with 17 years of extensive experience in clinical nutrition. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science from Kuwait and a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from the United Kingdom. Her professional focus is in medical nutrition therapy, with advanced specialization in nutrition support and critical care. She has developed and implemented evidence-based protocols,policies and guidelines for enteral and parenteral nutrition within intensive care settings, contributing to improved patient outcomes and multidisciplinary care excellence.

Professor of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology

Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon

Dr. Abboud is the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent

Medicine at American University of Beirut Medical Center. He is also, the founding and the

current Director of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Program and is currently the interim Director of

Children Cancer Institute of Lebanon. He is an expert on pediatric malignancies and Sickle Cell

Disease. Dr Abboud received the Sickle Cell Disease Association Lifetime Achievement Award

on 2023.He is also a member of the Lancet Commission on Sickle Cell Disease.

استشاري اجتماعي ومعالج بالحجامة والموكسا وعدة تقنيات

ASHRAF MOSTAFA SDEEK OMAR
Consulted of Psychotherapy
In Kuwait Center for Mental Health (KCMH).EDUCATION
PhD. Degree in clinical psychology
(psychotherapy) From Egypt.WORK EXPERIENCE
Group Psychotherapy An experience in:
Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy
Individual Psychotherapy: an experience in:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET).
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
- Schema Therapy (ST).
- Transgender psychotherapy (TGNC).
- Family Therapy & Couples and Marriage couns
LICENSES
• A licensed psychotherapist from the Ministry of Health in Egypt and Kuwait.
ACCREDITATION
• Member of the American Psychological
Association (APA), and Egyptian psychologists
Association.

Director, Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Center; Group Chief Research Officer - Burjeel Medical City

Dr. Khaled Musallam is currently the Group Chief Research Officer at Burjeel Holdings in Abu Dhabi, UAE where he established the clinical research function and operations across the Group’s large hospital network. He is also Director of the Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Center, Founding Director of the Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorder (CR-RBD), Head of the Innovative Trials Unit at the Genetics and Rare Disease Center based at the Group’s flagship hospital, Burjeel Medical City. He is also Global Research Lead at Burjeel Institute for Global Health in New York, Adjunct Professor at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, and Adjunct Professor at Weill Cornel Medicine in New York. He has authored over 220 articles on hemoglobin disorders with practice-changing papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA, Circulation, Blood, among others. His h-index is 61. He is also editor of the Thalassaemia International Federation management guidelines.

Dr Azza Mostafa is an Emertius Professor of Clinical and Chemicalnb Pathology, teaching and researching maily Hematology with special interest and expertise in Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia. She is a member of the Supteme Committee for Professors Promotion in Egypt.
She is member of many scientific societies, ( Egyptian Society of Hematologyv and Research. The Society of laboratory Medicine., The Egyptian Society of Heatology). She is a Peer Reviewer of many national and international journals.

Pediatric hematology oncology - Prince hamzah hospital and private clinic

Senior consultant pediatric hematology oncology at Hamzah hospital/MOH and private clinic - Algerian BOARD Of pediatric -Diplome of hematology option clinique and diplome of hematology option biologique from university of Paris 7/ Paris/France, - Ex head of thalassemia and hemophilia center in Albasir Hospital/MOH/Jordan Ex president of the Jordanian thalassemia and hemophilia Society

Senior register clinical toxicologist
Kuwait poison control center, Amiri hospital, MOH

Lecturer of clinical toxicology, Zagazig University, Egypt

An expert in Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher

Education, Medical Education, and a professor Emeritus of

Paediatrics at Cairo University.

At the International level: Prof. Badrawi is a Board Member of:The

Advisory Council of the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG),

the Ecctis/TNE QB advisory board and the Global Paediatrics

Education Consortium (GPEC). She also serves as expert to review

the standards of the WFME and a member of the assessors

recognition team for the WFME. She served two terms in the board

of INQAAHE.

At the Regional level: Prof. Badrawi is the main founder and currently the president of the Arab

Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE). She is a member of the advisory

board of the Gulf Medical University in Dubai since 2017 (current), and member of the advisory

board of the consortium benchmark for digital learning. She disseminated the culture of Quality

Assurance in Higher Education at Regional and National levels.

At the National level: Prof. Badrawi is a member of the board of trustees of the AlU- Alamein

International University, she is also a board member of Medical Sector Committee for Planning

and Development of the Supreme Council of Egyptian Universities since 2008 (current) She was

one of the main founders to establish and develop the National Quality Assurance Authority in

Education in Egypt (NAQAAE). Prof. Badrawi was the chairperson of the Paediatrics Department

Cairo University, and she served as the chair of the board of Nile Badrawi hospital for many years.

Hematology specialist - Farwaniya Hospital

Dr. Alkandari is a clinical hematology specialist working in Farwaniya Hospital. Holding a certificate in hematology board by KIMS institute and MRCP. She’s a member of different local committees including VTE prophylaxis, blood transfusion and patient blood management. She’s a clinical tutor of internal medicine residency program.

Ali T. Taher, Professor of Medicine at the Division

of Hematology & Oncology Department of Internal

Medicine, is the Director of the Naef K. Basile

Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American

University of Beirut Medical Center and appointed

in December 2021 as the Associate Vice President

for Medical Advancement and Communications.

He was also the Founding Director Fellowship and

Residents Research Program (FRRP), Faculty of

Medicine. Nationally, Prof. Taher is an integral

member of a team of consultants at the Thalassemia

Department of the Chronic Care Center (CCC)

located in Lebanon where he has contributed to state

of the art programs for prevention and management of

thalassemia patients in the country. In May 2018 Prof. Taher was granted Tenure in the

current rank as full time professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of

Medicine at AUBMC.

Prof. Taher has received numerous awards for his contribution in research and in benign

hematology including, Honorary Award – Lebanese Medical Students' International

Committee in 2003 through 2006, the Medal of Honor for Achievement from the

Lebanese Order of Physicians in 2004, Honorary Award – King Faysal Specialist

Hospital and Research Center in April 2004, the Souad Subah Award for Best Scientific

Work in August 2005, Gold Medal from the Ministry of Health – Lebanon in

November 2008, and a Gold Medal Award, AUB Alumni Association, Medical

Chapter in April 2010. He was also selected to join the “Alpha Omega Alpha Honor

Medical Society”. In 2013, Prof. Taher was recognized with the “International Leader in

Thalassemia” award by the Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Awards

presented to a those that have contributed significant work in Thalassemia and

Hemoglobinopathies and has achieved a measurable impact in improving patients’

quality of life. Prof. Taher was also awarded in 2016 a Research Excellence Award

presented by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research. In September 2021,

Prof. Taher was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of MENA

Oncology by the Emirates Oncology Society (EOS) and the Emirates Medical

Association. In June 2022, Prof. Taher was selected as the recipient of the 2022

European Hematology Association (EHA) Education and Mentoring Award. Most

recently in October 2022, Prof. Taher was awarded the prestigious Kuwait Foundation

for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) Prize for the year 2021 for his research work

on β-thalassemia. Prof. Taher was also awarded in October 2022 the National Cedar

Medal by the Lebanese government in recognition of his contributions to the health and

humanitarian fields.

Prof. Taher was granted in 2011 the “Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians

(FRCP)” in appreciation of his dedication to advancing knowledge and research, as well

as being awarded in 2012 a “Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)” from LeidenUniversity Medical Center (LUMC) for his ground-breaking work on thalassemia

intermedia which unraveled morbidity behind the disease.

Prof. Taher has been invited to over 200 conferences both regionally and internationally

as a keynote speaker, chairperson and moderator and has over 509 manuscripts

published in leading peer-reviewed international journals (Citations: 24,809; h-index:

76). He is the principal investigator on key clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and

safety of iron chelation therapy in transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT) and non-

transfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT) along with new modalities of treatment. Prof.

Taher currently serves as a member of the Editorial Board of different journals. He is also

the current associate editor of the journal Annals of Hematology. He also serves as editor

for several books and guidelines in Thalassemia. He has also been an active reviewer for

several scholarly and high impact factor journals in Hematology including The Lancet,

New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Hematology, Haematologica,

Blood, Blood Advances, Blood Reviews and Hemasphere in addition to being an abstract

reviewer for major congresses. Prof. Taher has taken part of as principal investigator in

several Phase 1, 2, 3 & 4 clinical trials. He currently ranks in the Top 100 of the world’s

most productive authors in Hematology (in the past 10 years), Top 5 of the most

published authors in the Arab world (2012 to present) and among the top in the world in

publications on Thalassemia and Iron Chelation Therapy. In November 2020, an

international study produced a composite citation-based indicator and listed Prof. Taher

among the world's top 2 percent of scholars in his respective field. In November 2021,

Prof. Taher was recognized and placed in the top 0.1% of scholars writing about Anemia

over the past 10 years by Expertscape's PubMed-based algorithms.

Prof. Taher has always set an example of how fruitful research partnerships can be, by

participating in studies of large collaborative networks (“National Institutes of Health”

(NIH), USA). He has also shown leadership in creating local and regional scientific

interest groups and associations that promote partnerships in science. Such partnerships

within the Middle East and with Italy in particular were a success story which yielded

data that reshaped our understanding of NTDT. Such work had a major impact on

establishing management guidelines by the “Thalassaemia International Federation”

(TIF) for both regularly transfused and non-transfusion-dependent thalassemias, for

which Prof. Taher served as an Editor.

Prof. Taher has been acting as a scientific advisor and consultant for the TIF to support

all their global efforts to promote optimal care for thalassemia patients through working

on clinical, awareness, and education initiatives. He is also an active member of some of

the most prestigious Hematology societies in the world including the American Society

of Hematology (ASH), EHA, Academy of Sickle Cell and Thalassemia, European

School of Hematology, and The International Society on Thrombosis and

Hemostasis (ISTH). He is currently the chair of the EHA Scientific Working Group

(SWG) on Red Cells and Iron and member of the EHA Education committee. Prof. Taher

has also been recently elected on December 2021 to serve on the ASH Scientific

Committee on Iron and Heme.

Prof. Taher continues to evaluate new treatment strategies and chelators to help achieve

optimal control of iron overload in these patient populations. In recognition of the quality

of his research and his dedication to find new treatments to improve the thalassemic

patients’ quality of life, Prof. Taher’s research has received numerous grants. Prof.

Taher’s ultimate passion is mentoring and sharing his knowledge with the young

generation of physician scientists.

Global Field Application Specialist - Devyser

Himanshu Chauhan is a Global Field Application Specialist at Devyser, bringing extensive expertise in R&D, innovation, and technical marketing within the life sciences and diagnostics industry. With a strong background in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and proteomics, he participated in discussing the cutting-edge technologies to address critical challenges in the field.

Himanshu holds a Master’s degree in Applied Biotechnology from Uppsala University, Sweden, and was awarded the prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship, where he led product development for a European biotech firm. His career spans multiple facets of molecular diagnostics, combining technical proficiency with strategic business initiatives to drive innovation.

Consultant pediatric hematologist - King Salman Medical City

Prof. Ahmad M. Tarawah is a Consultant Pediatrics Hematology / Oncology, King Salman Medical City. Professor of Hematology, University of Hertfordshire. Visiting professor, Canadian college of medicine. Branches Director, Saudi Hemophilia Society. Chairman, Gulf Hemophilia Group. President of Middle East and North Africa Hematology League. Board of directors’ member, Saudi Society of Blood Disorders. Prof. Tarawah has qualified in Medicine at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1990. Joined a one-year pediatrics program by University of Edinburgh in 1993. He continued pediatrics program residence in Madinah and hold Arab board certificate of pediatrics in 1997. Commenced his training in pediatrics hematology / oncology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, when he had fellowship certificate in 2001. He had a Training program on hemostasis at the Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada in 2000. Prof. Tarawah has clinical and research expertise in hemophilia, bleeding disorders and sickle cell anemia. He has more than 140 publications, editor of benign hematology textbook and 10 educational booklets. Reviewer of many hematology journals. He is member of many hematology working groups, committees and societies. He was presedint of 4 international congresses and 16 local Conferences, Leader of 25 conferences Organizing / Scientific Committee, and member of 13 others. Participated at 150 Volunteer / educational / Charity Medical Campaign. Invited Speaker to 47 International / Middle Eastern conferences, and 53 local conferences and symposiums, With more than 500 presentations. He was the principal investigator of 11 research project and co-investigator of 7 projects. Prof Tarawah was Founder of 5 civil associations and 7 hematology societies in Saudi Arabia and Middle East. Member of many international, regional and local scintivic societies and civil associations. He had led teams for guidelines preprations such as SCA, Hemophilia, vWD, rare bleeding disorders, Thalassemia and other 22 guidelines prpared for saudi ministry of health. He has Crowned with six awards.

Professor in internal medicine clinical hematology and BMT department
Ain Shams university Cairo Egypt
Consultant hematology and BMT
Kuwait cancer control center

Hematology Specialist and Head of Clinical Hematology - Amiri Hospital

Clinical Hematologist and Head of the Clinical Hematology Unit, Al Amiri Hospital, Kuwait. Medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. Certified by the Kuwaiti Board of Hematology, Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS). Clinical Tutor, Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS).

Biography: Director of Paediatric SCT program in Kuwait, Head of paediatric haematology oncology and SCT Department

NBK Children’s Specialised Hospital, committee head for Stem Cell and tissue principles

and technical and administrative standards. Previously Head of committee for Central Policies for

secondary and tertiary care, member of gene therapy committee . Previously member of COVID-19 inspection team in MOH, Vice-president

of SCD higher committee, president of Kuwait Paediatric association. Treasurer of Kuwait

Thalassaemia league. Member of international bodies: EBMT, ISCT,ASTCT,ASHI,ARSHI.

Graduated from Dublin , Ireland RCSI, double qualification for paediatrics ( Kuwaiti board

and MRCPCH), fellowship in paediatric haematology and SCT UK.

Established the paediatric SCT in 2020, initiated the treatment of CCP in Kuwait 2020. initiated Paediatric apharesus service treatment in  Nbk Children’s Hospital. Initiated the cellular therapy for children, started the infrastructure of CAR -T therapy  and gene therapy and ATMP lab.

Research interest in the field ofStem cell transplant ,non malignant haematology

Assistant professor - College of basic Education

Dr. Ali Alfayly is an Assistant Professor in the Computing Department at the College of Basic Education, Kuwait, where he has taught since February 2017. He brings deep expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and AI governance. He serves on the IEEE Region 8 Young Professionals Committee and regularly collaborates with healthcare professionals, having led workshops on ethical AI applications in pediatric medicine, dental research, and hematology. His research includes co-authoring an empirical study on e-government satisfaction in Kuwait, and he frequently contributes to international discussions on AI ethics and policy. Dr. Alfayly is dedicated to bridging technology and health, combining rigorous scholarship with hands-on training to empower the next generation of interdisciplinary innovators.

Dr Maha Jassim Bourusly is a pediatric consultant at the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait. Dr Maha received her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University, 1990, and completed her training in General Pediatrics from October to January 1991, at university hospital (Qasr Al eini) Cairo, and at pediatric department from September to November 1991 Al-Amiri hospital Kuwait. She received her Diploma in child health, Dublin (DCH) 1994. And Kuwait Board in Pediatrics (PGTP) 2002. And MRCPCH (UK) 2003. Dr Maha Joined the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait in 2003. Over her 27 years of practice, Dr. Maha has developed experience in general Pediatrics and pediatric hematology and leukemia. She was the head of Thalassaemia league and Pediatric league, Kuwait Medical Association. She is also board member of I want to learn society, an initiative to teach children at hospital with chronic debilitating illnesses.

Consultant Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist - Jaber al Ahmad Hospital

Dr. Abdulla al Thaher, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Transplant Hepatologist- Jaber al Ahmad hospital - Kuwait MBBCH Kuwait University Faculty of Medicine, Saudi Board in Internal Medicine, Saudi fellowship in Gastroenterology, Transplant Hepatology fellowship- Toronto Canada

Professor of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology

Chairman, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

American University of Beirut Medical Center

Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon

Dr. Abboud is the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent

Medicine at American University of Beirut Medical Center. He is also, the founding and the

current Director of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Program and is currently the interim Director of

Children Cancer Institute of Lebanon. He is an expert on pediatric malignancies and Sickle Cell

Disease. Dr Abboud received the Sickle Cell Disease Association Lifetime Achievement Award

on 2023.He is also a member of the Lancet Commission on Sickle Cell Disease.

Board member -TPFS Palestine founding member and executive conemittee of TATAF

A specialist in chemical industries and an active figure in humanitarian work in Palestine. She is the Secretary and Founding Member of the Thalassemia Patients Friends Society – Palestine, and member of TATAF Executive Committee. She is also a member of the Union of Charitable Societies in Palestine and a Voting Member of the Thalassemia International Federation (TIF).

Biography: Director of Paediatric SCT program in Kuwait, Head of paediatric haematology oncology and SCT Department

NBK Children’s Specialised Hospital, committee head for Stem Cell and tissue principles

and technical and administrative standards. Previously Head of committee for Central Policies for

secondary and tertiary care, member of gene therapy committee . Previously member of COVID-19 inspection team in MOH, Vice-president

of SCD higher committee, president of Kuwait Paediatric association. Treasurer of Kuwait

Thalassaemia league. Member of international bodies: EBMT, ISCT,ASTCT,ASHI,ARSHI.

Graduated from Dublin , Ireland RCSI, double qualification for paediatrics ( Kuwaiti board

and MRCPCH), fellowship in paediatric haematology and SCT UK.

Established the paediatric SCT in 2020, initiated the treatment of CCP in Kuwait 2020. initiated Paediatric apharesus service treatment in  Nbk Children’s Hospital. Initiated the cellular therapy for children, started the infrastructure of CAR -T therapy  and gene therapy and ATMP lab.

Research interest in the field ofStem cell transplant ,non malignant haematology

TIF Board member, ETA board member, member of TATAF executive committee - Egyptian Thalassemia Association ETA

TIF Board Member, Member in the TATAF Executive Committee, Board Member in the Egyptian Thalassemia Association ETA

Graduated from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with a major in Mass
Communication and a minor in Business Administration. After working in the
corporate world for several years, I made the decision to quit my job and focus all
my efforts on educating myself properly in the field of thalassaemia. During this journey, I developed a deep passion for helping others and making a positive impact on their lives. I have dedicated my
life to making a difference in the lives of those affected by this condition.Since then, I have been actively engaged in advocacy work, raising funds, assisting
patients, and spreading awareness about thalassaemia. Through various initiatives
and campaigns, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the support they need and deserve. Whether it is organizing fundraising events or providing
emotional support to patients and their families, I am committed to making a
difference.
With my background in mass communication, I am confident that I can effectively communicate important messages about thalassaemia to a wider audience, raising further awareness about
this condition

Dr Maha Jassim Bourusly is a pediatric consultant at the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait. Dr Maha received her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University, 1990, and completed her training in General Pediatrics from October to January 1991, at university hospital (Qasr Al eini) Cairo, and at pediatric department from September to November 1991 Al-Amiri hospital Kuwait. She received her Diploma in child health, Dublin (DCH) 1994. And Kuwait Board in Pediatrics (PGTP) 2002. And MRCPCH (UK) 2003. Dr Maha Joined the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait in 2003. Over her 27 years of practice, Dr. Maha has developed experience in general Pediatrics and pediatric hematology and leukemia. She was the head of Thalassaemia league and Pediatric league, Kuwait Medical Association. She is also board member of I want to learn society, an initiative to teach children at hospital with chronic debilitating illnesses.

Countries Officer - Thalassaemia International Federation

Rawad Merhi serves as Countries Officer at the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), where he leads global collaborations with ministries of health, patient organizations, and international agencies across more than 60 countries. With over 15 years of experience in global health advocacy and project management, he specializes in healthcare diplomacy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in the field of rare diseases and haemoglobin disorders. He has coordinated large-scale international projects and high-level conferences, demonstrating strong leadership and logistical expertise. A multilingual professional fluent in Arabic, English, French, and Greek, Rawad is passionate about improving patient access to care and advancing equitable health policies. He holds a BBA in Business Administration from Beirut University, Lebanon.

Kuwait board of hematology MRCP (UK) MBBCh - Kuwait Member of KHA

Senior Registrar -  AlSabah Hospital

Dr. Ahmad AlSaffar is a Clinical Hematologist and Senior Registrar at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait. He serves as the Chairperson of the Policy and Procedure Committee at the hospital and is the Secretary of the Kuwait Hematology Association. Dr. AlSaffar is also a Clinical Tutor at the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS). A graduate of the University of Malta, he completed his residency in hematology through the Kuwait Board of Hematology. Dr. AlSaffar is actively involved in clinical practice, medical education, and health policy development.

Dr. Abdullah Alotaibi is a Senior Specialist in Hematology and the Head of the Clinical Hematology Unit at Al-Sabah Hospital in Kuwait. Graduated from faculty of medicine, Kuwait University in 2011 and Board certified hematologist by Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS) since 2017. He Has extensive experience in the management of benign hematology disorders, with a particular interest in hemoglobinopathies.

Mona Hamdy is a Professor of Pediatric Hematology, Cairo University and a Consultant of Hematology at the Health Insurance Organization and General Organization for teaching hospitals and Institutes (GOTHI), Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt. Professor Hamdy is the director of the Pediatric Hematology& BMT unit of Cairo University. She is a winner of the Excellence Award in Medical Sciences and ‘The First Degree Medal of Excellence’ from the Egyptian President. She is a holder of a Master degree in Clinical Research Administration, Walden University, USA.

Professor Hamdy is a co- founder and director of the Kasr Al Ainy Center for Clinical Research at Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University with 24 years of experience in research. She has been assigned the position of an Expert at the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority.  She is a member of The Technical Committee for Legislative Reform (for blood transfusion law), Ministry of Justice. She is a scientific board member of two Presidential initiatives; 100 million health for screening for anemia, short stature and obesity among school’s children all over Egypt and the Presidential initiative for Premarital screening.

Prof. Hamdy is a member of the higher committees for drugs, research, prophylaxis in hemophilia and handicapping at the Health Insurance Organization, MOHP. She is the founder of the first hematology center for children and adults with thalassemia and hemophilia in GOTHI. She is the ex-deputy director of the Center of Social and Preventive Center, Cairo University Hospitals.

             Prof Mona was able to communicate with the University of South California and Telemed Foundation, USA for several educational video conferences and a fundraiser for the Children Hospitals of Cairo University (300 thousand USD raised).  She is the founder of the Patients against Thalassemia group (PAT) which raises awareness about the prevention of thalassemia and sickle cell anemia among the general population in different areas in Egypt. Several activities were done using mass media and by visiting schools and universities in addition to arranging awareness campaigns in the Oasis and rural areas.

Bashar Adnan Karmi. Date of birth: 29/5/1960 Tulkarm- Palestine, married with five children.

Physician / Clinical Pathologist, MD -. USSR 1985

                Residency at Jordan University Hospital 1987- 1991

                Jordanian Board in clinical pathology 1991

                MSC. Clinical Pathology Medical Microbiology & Clinical Immunology –Jordan University 1991

Professional Experience

• 1986-87 private clinic.
• 1987-1991 Residency at Jordan University Hospital –Pathology Department.
• 1991-1998 Head of Laboratory Services and Blood Banking in West Bank and thereafter in Palestinian Ministry of Health.
• 1996-1998- Head of Ramallah Laboratory in Medicare Co.
• 1998- 2017 Medicare General Manager & Medicare Board Vice Chairman.
• 2018- Now Medicare Board Chairman and Medicare CEO.

Membership- member of Jordan Medical Association since 1986.

Founder and Board member of Palestinian Thalassemia Patient’s Friends Society- 1996.

Languages: Arabic, English, Russian, Hebrow.

Teaching experience- part time in Al Quds University 1992-2000

                                 - Part time in Ber Zeit University 2000-200

Published articles:-

• Assessment of gonadal and thyroid function for adult transfusion dependent Beta thalassemia patients in Palestine

          Kamal Dumaidi, Amer AlJawabreh, Bashar Karmi- 2015.

• Factors associated with continuing emergence of Beta thalassemia major despite prenatal testing: a cross- sectional survey

     Haleama Al Sabbah,1 Sarah Khan,1 Abdallah Hamadna,2 Lamia Abu Ghazaleh, Bashar Karmi

• Quality of life of Thalassemia Patients in the West Bank of Palestine,

Pamela Kohlbry PhD, RN, Bashar Karmi, MD, BSC, Robert C. Yamashita PhD.

4) Quality of Life of Thalassemia Patients Living in the West Bank and Gaza  2022                        

- new look and evaluation                          

Unpublished studies:-

• “Rubella immune status of Palestinian women. A study for more than 800 ladies tested for Rubella IgG in the period of 2002 and 2017.
• Detection of drug abuse overview- Study of Medicare laboratory results 2005-2010.
• The facts considering blood plasma “converted- halal” substance from scientific point of view. Kuwait 2014, Third Gulf Halal Conference.
• The status of Vitamin B12 among Palestinian population, study between 2001-2015 years in Medicare results.

TIF Board Member, TATAF Founding Member, Administrative Director at Chronic Care Center

Holder of Masters in Public Health in Health Services Administration from the American University of Beirut and completed a Fellowship in Health Services Administration in Henry Ford Health Systems, Michigan, USA. Appointed at the Chronic Care Center, the only specialized Center in the treatment of Thalassemia in Lebanon as the Administrative Director in 1994 and still holds position to-date. Involved in the On-going National Prevention program for Thalassemia launched by the Center and the Ministry of Social Affairs in 1994. Has a special interest in the organization of Disease specific Associations, in strategies, programs and evaluation of Prevention and management of hemoglobinopathies and has several publications in this field. Has been a founding member of the TIF Arab Thalassemia Associations ( TATAF). Currently a board member in the Thalassemia International Federation and ISPOR Lebanon chapter board member (Professional Society for Health economics and research outcomes).

Director, Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Center; Group Chief Research Officer - Burjeel Medical City

Dr. Khaled Musallam is currently the Group Chief Research Officer at Burjeel Holdings in Abu Dhabi, UAE where he established the clinical research function and operations across the Group’s large hospital network. He is also Director of the Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Center, Founding Director of the Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorder (CR-RBD), Head of the Innovative Trials Unit at the Genetics and Rare Disease Center based at the Group’s flagship hospital, Burjeel Medical City. He is also Global Research Lead at Burjeel Institute for Global Health in New York, Adjunct Professor at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, and Adjunct Professor at Weill Cornel Medicine in New York. He has authored over 220 articles on hemoglobin disorders with practice-changing papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA, Circulation, Blood, among others. His h-index is 61. He is also editor of the Thalassaemia International Federation management guidelines.

Pediatric hematology oncology - Prince hamzah hospital and private clinic

Senior consultant pediatric hematology oncology at Hamzah hospital/MOH and private clinic - Algerian BOARD Of pediatric -Diplome of hematology option clinique and diplome of hematology option biologique from university of Paris 7/ Paris/France, - Ex head of thalassemia and hemophilia center in Albasir Hospital/MOH/Jordan Ex president of the Jordanian thalassemia and hemophilia Society

Ali T. Taher, Professor of Medicine at the Division

of Hematology & Oncology Department of Internal

Medicine, is the Director of the Naef K. Basile

Cancer Institute (NKBCI) at the American

University of Beirut Medical Center and appointed

in December 2021 as the Associate Vice President

for Medical Advancement and Communications.

He was also the Founding Director Fellowship and

Residents Research Program (FRRP), Faculty of

Medicine. Nationally, Prof. Taher is an integral

member of a team of consultants at the Thalassemia

Department of the Chronic Care Center (CCC)

located in Lebanon where he has contributed to state

of the art programs for prevention and management of

thalassemia patients in the country. In May 2018 Prof. Taher was granted Tenure in the

current rank as full time professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of

Medicine at AUBMC.

Prof. Taher has received numerous awards for his contribution in research and in benign

hematology including, Honorary Award – Lebanese Medical Students' International

Committee in 2003 through 2006, the Medal of Honor for Achievement from the

Lebanese Order of Physicians in 2004, Honorary Award – King Faysal Specialist

Hospital and Research Center in April 2004, the Souad Subah Award for Best Scientific

Work in August 2005, Gold Medal from the Ministry of Health – Lebanon in

November 2008, and a Gold Medal Award, AUB Alumni Association, Medical

Chapter in April 2010. He was also selected to join the “Alpha Omega Alpha Honor

Medical Society”. In 2013, Prof. Taher was recognized with the “International Leader in

Thalassemia” award by the Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Awards

presented to a those that have contributed significant work in Thalassemia and

Hemoglobinopathies and has achieved a measurable impact in improving patients’

quality of life. Prof. Taher was also awarded in 2016 a Research Excellence Award

presented by the Lebanese National Council for Scientific Research. In September 2021,

Prof. Taher was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in the category of MENA

Oncology by the Emirates Oncology Society (EOS) and the Emirates Medical

Association. In June 2022, Prof. Taher was selected as the recipient of the 2022

European Hematology Association (EHA) Education and Mentoring Award. Most

recently in October 2022, Prof. Taher was awarded the prestigious Kuwait Foundation

for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) Prize for the year 2021 for his research work

on β-thalassemia. Prof. Taher was also awarded in October 2022 the National Cedar

Medal by the Lebanese government in recognition of his contributions to the health and

humanitarian fields.

Prof. Taher was granted in 2011 the “Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians

(FRCP)” in appreciation of his dedication to advancing knowledge and research, as well

as being awarded in 2012 a “Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD)” from LeidenUniversity Medical Center (LUMC) for his ground-breaking work on thalassemia

intermedia which unraveled morbidity behind the disease.

Prof. Taher has been invited to over 200 conferences both regionally and internationally

as a keynote speaker, chairperson and moderator and has over 509 manuscripts

published in leading peer-reviewed international journals (Citations: 24,809; h-index:

76). He is the principal investigator on key clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and

safety of iron chelation therapy in transfusion dependent thalassemia (TDT) and non-

transfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT) along with new modalities of treatment. Prof.

Taher currently serves as a member of the Editorial Board of different journals. He is also

the current associate editor of the journal Annals of Hematology. He also serves as editor

for several books and guidelines in Thalassemia. He has also been an active reviewer for

several scholarly and high impact factor journals in Hematology including The Lancet,

New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Hematology, Haematologica,

Blood, Blood Advances, Blood Reviews and Hemasphere in addition to being an abstract

reviewer for major congresses. Prof. Taher has taken part of as principal investigator in

several Phase 1, 2, 3 & 4 clinical trials. He currently ranks in the Top 100 of the world’s

most productive authors in Hematology (in the past 10 years), Top 5 of the most

published authors in the Arab world (2012 to present) and among the top in the world in

publications on Thalassemia and Iron Chelation Therapy. In November 2020, an

international study produced a composite citation-based indicator and listed Prof. Taher

among the world's top 2 percent of scholars in his respective field. In November 2021,

Prof. Taher was recognized and placed in the top 0.1% of scholars writing about Anemia

over the past 10 years by Expertscape's PubMed-based algorithms.

Prof. Taher has always set an example of how fruitful research partnerships can be, by

participating in studies of large collaborative networks (“National Institutes of Health”

(NIH), USA). He has also shown leadership in creating local and regional scientific

interest groups and associations that promote partnerships in science. Such partnerships

within the Middle East and with Italy in particular were a success story which yielded

data that reshaped our understanding of NTDT. Such work had a major impact on

establishing management guidelines by the “Thalassaemia International Federation”

(TIF) for both regularly transfused and non-transfusion-dependent thalassemias, for

which Prof. Taher served as an Editor.

Prof. Taher has been acting as a scientific advisor and consultant for the TIF to support

all their global efforts to promote optimal care for thalassemia patients through working

on clinical, awareness, and education initiatives. He is also an active member of some of

the most prestigious Hematology societies in the world including the American Society

of Hematology (ASH), EHA, Academy of Sickle Cell and Thalassemia, European

School of Hematology, and The International Society on Thrombosis and

Hemostasis (ISTH). He is currently the chair of the EHA Scientific Working Group

(SWG) on Red Cells and Iron and member of the EHA Education committee. Prof. Taher

has also been recently elected on December 2021 to serve on the ASH Scientific

Committee on Iron and Heme.

Prof. Taher continues to evaluate new treatment strategies and chelators to help achieve

optimal control of iron overload in these patient populations. In recognition of the quality

of his research and his dedication to find new treatments to improve the thalassemic

patients’ quality of life, Prof. Taher’s research has received numerous grants. Prof.

Taher’s ultimate passion is mentoring and sharing his knowledge with the young

generation of physician scientists.

Consultant pediatric hematologist - King Salman Medical City

Prof. Ahmad M. Tarawah is a Consultant Pediatrics Hematology / Oncology, King Salman Medical City. Professor of Hematology, University of Hertfordshire. Visiting professor, Canadian college of medicine. Branches Director, Saudi Hemophilia Society. Chairman, Gulf Hemophilia Group. President of Middle East and North Africa Hematology League. Board of directors’ member, Saudi Society of Blood Disorders. Prof. Tarawah has qualified in Medicine at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 1990. Joined a one-year pediatrics program by University of Edinburgh in 1993. He continued pediatrics program residence in Madinah and hold Arab board certificate of pediatrics in 1997. Commenced his training in pediatrics hematology / oncology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, when he had fellowship certificate in 2001. He had a Training program on hemostasis at the Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto, Canada in 2000. Prof. Tarawah has clinical and research expertise in hemophilia, bleeding disorders and sickle cell anemia. He has more than 140 publications, editor of benign hematology textbook and 10 educational booklets. Reviewer of many hematology journals. He is member of many hematology working groups, committees and societies. He was presedint of 4 international congresses and 16 local Conferences, Leader of 25 conferences Organizing / Scientific Committee, and member of 13 others. Participated at 150 Volunteer / educational / Charity Medical Campaign. Invited Speaker to 47 International / Middle Eastern conferences, and 53 local conferences and symposiums, With more than 500 presentations. He was the principal investigator of 11 research project and co-investigator of 7 projects. Prof Tarawah was Founder of 5 civil associations and 7 hematology societies in Saudi Arabia and Middle East. Member of many international, regional and local scintivic societies and civil associations. He had led teams for guidelines preprations such as SCA, Hemophilia, vWD, rare bleeding disorders, Thalassemia and other 22 guidelines prpared for saudi ministry of health. He has Crowned with six awards.

Professor Amal Mohamed El Beshlawy is a distinguished Professor of Pediatric Hematology with over four decades of experience in the diagnosis and management of hematological disorders, particularly thalassemia and Gaucher disease. She earned her MBBCh in 1967, followed by diplomas in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, and a Doctorate in Pediatrics in 1974. Prof. El Beshlawy founded the Department of Hematology and Marrow Transplantation in Cairo and has served as a key member and representative in numerous international hematology societies, including TIF, EHA, ASH, and ISH. She has published over 180 international research papers, spoken at over 80 conferences, and has received multiple national and international awards for her contributions to medical science and pediatric hematology.

-Director of Diwanyah Thalassaemia Center 1998-2016

Member of Thalassaemia Control Counsel in Iraq (MOH).

•⁠ ⁠TIF member since 2008.

TATAF founding member

•⁠ ⁠Participant, attendant, or speaker in (72) national, regional, and international conferences (on Thalassaemia and other hemoglobinopathies) around the world.

•⁠ ⁠Establish Diwanyah Thalassaemia Association in 2008, becoming a voting member of TIF in 2016

•⁠ ⁠Co-Adviser for practical research work for students of MSc and PhD in hemoglobinopathies.

•⁠ ⁠Statistical data organizer for hemoglobinopathies in Iraq (MOH) since 2013.
•⁠ ⁠Member of (ASH, EHA, ISOH).

-Volunteer expert physician in the Hereditary Anaemia at Diwanyah Thalassaemia Center "Since 2016.