logo
New Parkinson's Pump therapy introduced at King's College Hospital London in Dubai

New Parkinson's Pump therapy introduced at King's College Hospital London in Dubai

Saudi Gazette01-05-2025

King's College Hospital London in Dubai has heralded new hope for Parkinson's patients by becoming the first to perform subcutaneous levodopa (fos-levodopa) pump therapy on the youngest Parkinson's patient in the UAE and the MENA region.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of only 30, the patient lived with the disorder for 14 years and had been entirely dependent on three caregivers for assistance. This treatment marks a giant breakthrough in the care of Parkinson's patients, granting them new prospective enhancements to the patient's quality of life.
The Foslevodopa pump therapy was introduced to the Middle East by King's College Hospital Dubai. The continuous delivery of levodopa through the patient's skin via this pump resembles that of an insulin pump for diabetes. Dosing of the drug is individualized, according to the needs of that particular patient. The specialists, namely Dr. Vinod Metta and Prof. Ray Chaudhuri, ensure that the therapy suits the condition of the patient. With the foslevodopa pump, patients can regain some of their independence and carry out daily tasks — never mind fasting during Ramadan — that previously, due to their condition, would have posed quite a challenge.
"Personalized care and individualized dosing are critical in Parkinson's treatment," commented Dr. Vinod Metta, Consultant Interventional Neurologist and Parkinson's Specialist at King's College Hospital London in Dubai. "With the Foslevodopa pump, patients can take back control of the disease, regain their independence, and improve upon their quality of life."
The procedure was performed at the Parkinson's Center of Excellence in King's College Hospital, Dubai, a regional center of excellence for movement disorders. The center offers world-class diagnostic and treatment innovations and multidisciplinary support to Parkinson's patients and their families while ensuring patient-centered care.
Prof. Ray Chaudhuri, who is the professor of neurology and movement disorders at King's College Hospital London, said: "This is a defining moment for Parkinson's care in the area. Foslevodopa is a major step forward in personalized therapy, allowing patients to receive the best possible care."
King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence: Leading the future of Parkinson's care
King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence in Dubai is under the aegis of UK-trained Parkinson's specialists, including Dr. Vinod Metta and Prof. Ray Chaudhuri. The center operates via personalized treatment plans supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, physiotherapists, speech therapists, dieticians, neuroradiologists, and occupational therapists.
Since its founding under Dr. Metta, King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence has treated over 1,000 patients with Parkinson's across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
For more information about the foslevodopa/foscarbidopa pump treatment, please contact King's Parkinson's Centre of Excellence:
Ms. Therese Masagnay : Therese.Masagnay@kch.ae
Ms. Clarissa Sanglian : Clarissa.Sanglian@kch.ae
Research Studies & Clinical Trials Coordinator: Afsal.Nalarakettil@kch.ae
This breakthrough treatment offers new hope for Parkinson's patients in the UAE and beyond.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UK warns about ‘skinny jabs' if trying to get pregnant
UK warns about ‘skinny jabs' if trying to get pregnant

Al Arabiya

time3 days ago

  • Al Arabiya

UK warns about ‘skinny jabs' if trying to get pregnant

The UK's medicine regulator warned Thursday against taking 'skinny jabs' to fight weight loss if trying to get pregnant or while breastfeeding because of their unknown effects on babies. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said popular jabs like Ozempic and Wegovy 'must not be taken during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or during breastfeeding.' It urged women to use 'effective contraception while taking these medicines and, in some cases, for up to two months between stopping the medicine and trying to get pregnant.' 'Anyone who gets pregnant while using them should speak to their healthcare professional and stop the medicine as soon as possible... because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking the medicine could cause harm to the baby,' it added. Rebecca Reynolds, a professor of metabolic medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said there was 'hardly any available data from human studies' to know if the weight loss drugs were safe in pregnancy. 'The data from animal studies suggests the potential for harm with low birthweight and skeletal abnormalities, though more evidence is needed to assess if there are risks of taking these drugs in humans,' she added. The MHRA also warned about the impact of another weight-loss and diabetes injection, Mounjaro, on the effectiveness of oral contraception for people who are overweight. 'Therefore, those taking Mounjaro who are overweight and are using an oral form of contraception are advised to also use a non-oral form of contraception,' it said. Ying Cheong, a consultant in reproductive medicine at the University of Southampton, called the MHRA's advice 'both timely and necessary.' 'Gastrointestinal side-effects such as vomiting and diarrhea can impair oral contraceptive absorption, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy,' he said.

YouTube educator says she is ready to risk career for Gaza's children
YouTube educator says she is ready to risk career for Gaza's children

Arab News

time3 days ago

  • Arab News

YouTube educator says she is ready to risk career for Gaza's children

LONDON: American children's educator and YouTuber Rachel Griffin Accurso, known globally as Ms Rachel, has said she is willing to jeopardize her career to advocate for Palestinian children suffering under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. Ms Rachel said she had been targeted by online campaigns and faced calls for government investigation after voicing support for children affected by war in Gaza and elsewhere. Despite growing criticism from some pro-Israel groups and conservative media, she said she remained defiant in a recent interview with WBUR, a Boston-based public radio station. She said: 'I would risk everything — and I will risk my career over and over to stand up for children. It's all about the kids for me. I wouldn't be Ms Rachel if I didn't deeply care about all kids.' Her comments came as humanitarian agencies continue to sound the alarm over conditions in Gaza, where more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the UN has warned that the enclave faces imminent famine. The YouTube star said a recent meeting with Palestinian mothers, whose children remain trapped in Gaza, had had a profound effect on her. She said: 'When you sit with a mother who's FaceTiming her boys in Gaza who don't have food, and you see that anguish, you ask yourself: What more can I do?' Ms Rachel recently published about her encounter with Rahaf, 3, a double amputee from Gaza who was evacuated for medical treatment in the US by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. Rahaf's story, including her wish to return to school and stand while praying, has been shared by Ms Rachel on her social media platforms, alongside the educator's advocacy for children in Gaza. Ms Rachel has faced accusations of bias, including a call by a pro-Israel organization urging the US attorney general to investigate her messaging. She acknowledged the pressure, but insisted her mission remains unchanged. She said: 'It's painful, but I know who I am, and I know how deeply and equally I care for all children.' A former teacher in New York, Ms Rachel said her work had always been rooted in the principle that all children, regardless of nationality or background, deserved dignity, safety, and access to basic needs. She added: 'That's the basis of everything for me — children are equal.'

Kyrgios Withdraws from Wimbledon Due to Injury Setback
Kyrgios Withdraws from Wimbledon Due to Injury Setback

Asharq Al-Awsat

time5 days ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Kyrgios Withdraws from Wimbledon Due to Injury Setback

Nick Kyrgios will miss Wimbledon and the entire grasscourt season due to a minor setback in his recovery from injury, the Australian said on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has struggled with a litany of foot, knee and wrist injuries since his runner-up finish at Wimbledon in 2022 and has played only four singles matches this year. He recorded his first singles win since 2022 at the Miami Open in March but pulled out of the French Open with a knee issue. "I've hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won't make it back for grass season this year," Kyrgios posted on social media. "I know how much you've all been looking forward to seeing me out there, and I'm genuinely sorry to disappoint. This is just a bump in the road though, and I'm already working hard to get back stronger than ever." Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, starts on June 30.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store