Toddler arrives in Dubai for $2.4m medical treatment funded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
A Jordanian toddler whose $2.4 million medical treatment is being paid for by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid , Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has arrived in the emirate to begin initial tests. Dubai Media Office shared images of Katia Abu Al Saud and her family arriving at Dubai International Airport before showing more pictures of her being greeted by staff at Al Jalila Children's Hospital in…
A Jordanian toddler, Katia Abu Al Saud, has arrived in Dubai to begin her $2.4 million medical treatment, funded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The Dubai Media Office shared images of Katia and her family arriving at Dubai International Airport, followed by photos of her being greeted at Al Jalila Children's Hospital.
Katia is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that affects nerve cells in the spinal cord. Her mother, Nour Roudnahal, appealed for help, and Sheikh Mohammed responded to the plea. Zolgensma, the gene therapy required for Katia's treatment, costs up to $2.4 million, and it is not available in Jordan.
Katia's diagnosis came when she was six months old, after her pediatrician noted differences in her movements compared to other babies. Despite physiotherapy and medication, her condition worsened, leading the family to launch an online fundraising campaign, which gained widespread support before Sheikh Mohammed's donation.
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