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Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Cord Blood and Research Centre (DCRC) revealed that 19 patients suffering from various blood diseases were treated using stem cell services.
Dr. Fatma Al Hashimi, Senior Clinical Scientist & Head of Donor Recruitment unit at DCRC, revealed that the centre treated the patients who were suffering from diseases like Thalassemia, Leukaemia, sickle cell anaemia and Fanconi anaemia using stored cord blood stem cells.
DCRC has successfully stored over 7,000 cord blood stem cells since its inception in 2006 and aims to increase the number of donations of ethnically diverse cord blood stem cells.
“After collection, the cord blood stem cells have to undergo various tests before being stored. We need from two to three weeks to determine whether the cord blood unit is acceptable or not for cryopreservation. An average of 80% of private cord blood units are accepted whereas only 40% of public cord blood units are accepted. It is all about quality not quantity and it is important that the cord blood unit meets the international standard and it can be used for transplantation if needed in future,” she added. Dr.Alhashimi said that the centre is also training nurses and doctors on cord blood collection procedure to assure units acceptance.
Dr. Alhashimi also said that the centre—which is the only government entity that offers public and private banking of cord blood- advocates the importance of public donation of cord blood stem cells to help form a substantial registry of cord blood stem cells for the UAE.
In fact, Dr. Alhashemi said that it has seen a significant increase in the awareness levels among the public about the importance of cord blood stem cells, which increased from only 73 donated units in 2006 to 768 donated units in 2017.
She stressed the importance of raising awareness on donating and storing cord blood stem cells as More than 80 blood diseases can be cured with the help of cord blood stem cells. “Mothers who have multiple pregnancies but do not have any family history of such diseases are ideal candidates for public banking of cord blood. After they store the cord blood for their family, for the subsequent pregnancies, it is recommended that they donate the stem cells for the public registry. Our appeal is for women to ensure stem cells are not wasted as they can be used to save lives,” she added.
“In 2012, we started implementing different donor recruitment models to increase the number of cord blood donation in UAE. By the end of 2016 and with the help of Latifa Hospital management we trained nurses in ante-natal clinic to educate pregnant women about the importance of cord blood donation in helping treat many patients with life-threatening diseases. Currently, the expectant mother can register for cord blood preservation at Latifa Hospital without the need to visit DCRC. Dr. Alhashimi said that this has resulted in the significant increase in cord blood donation, which highlights the importance of approaching the pregnant women (face to face consultation) during pregnancy and make them aware about the beneficial use of cord blood stem cells.
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For further information, please contact:
Mahmoud Al Ali
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260
Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority
klgupta@dha.gov.ae nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455
About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services, which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
In May 2018, H.H Sheikh Mohammed, issued Law No. (6) Of 2018 of the DHA. The new Law further enables the DHA to achieve its objectives including regulating medical services in Dubai, enhancing competiveness and transparency, improving medical services and products based on international best practices and achieving the sector’s objectives according to approved strategic plans.
According to the Law, DHA will ensure the availability of quality medical insurance programmes, improve medical services according to the highest international standards, contribute to providing attractive infrastructure for investments, boost Dubai’s position as a global hub for medical tourism and medical education, encourage innovation in the healthcare sector and improve preventive healthcare measures.
The Law specified DHA’s responsibilities to include preparing a comprehensive strategic plan for Dubai’s healthcare sector, conducting studies and surveys to define Dubai’s future needs and matching the results with future investments, licensing and monitoring medical workers and medical facilities according to DHA’s approved regulations. Its responsibilities also include regulating medical education and medical research in collaboration with competent local and international authorities and drafting and developing policies and procedures for the healthcare sector in Dubai.
The Law authorises DHA to regulate and approve the prices of medical services offered by private healthcare facilities in Dubai and ensure the quality of medical services. DHA is also responsible for regulating and facilitating the sending of patients for specialised medical treatment to healthcare facilities both within and outside the country, regulating and overseeing medical tourism in collaboration with concerned authorities, managing and developing policies that govern medical insurance and regulating medical advertising in Dubai.
H.H Sheikh Mohammed also issued Decree No. 17 of 2018 establishing subsidiaries of the DHA: the Dubai Healthcare Corporation and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation to further enhance healthcare services in Dubai and enable DHA to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations.
Three new strategic sectors were also added as part of the decree; they include Strategy and Corporate Development, Health Regulation, and Shared Support Services.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta Hospitals, its 12 primary healthcare centres, 17 medical fitness centres and its 6 specialty centres.
For more information, visit DHA’s website: www.dha.gov.ae
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