Sidra Medicine partners with Pearl International Hospital to expand access to cord blood banking in Qatar
The hospital will coordinate the collection, while Sidra Medicine will process and store the samples at its specialized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, which houses Qatar’s only cord blood bank.
QATAR—Sidra Medicine, a member of the Qatar Foundation, and The Pearl International Hospital have signed an agreement to give expectant parents access to cord blood banking services as part of their maternity care.
Under the agreement, parents receiving maternity services at The Pearl International Hospital can choose to preserve their baby’s umbilical cord blood with Sidra Medicine.
The hospital will coordinate the collection, while Sidra Medicine will process and store the samples at its specialized Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, which houses Qatar’s only cord blood bank.
Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, said the partnership would expand access to specialized cord blood and tissue banking services for families in Qatar.
He said the service would give parents the information and support they need to make informed decisions about preserving cord blood and other biological resources.
He added that the agreement reflects Sidra Medicine’s efforts to expand specialized healthcare services to patients and families across the country.
Dr. Cem Emir Guldogan, Chief Medical Officer at The Pearl International Hospital, said the hospital was proud to enter the agreement, describing it as an important step in its efforts to provide advanced medical care to the community.
He said the partnership marked a milestone in the hospital’s efforts to raise healthcare standards in Qatar.
According to Guldogan, The Pearl International Hospital combines medical expertise and innovative technologies with an environment designed to promote holistic well-being while providing compassionate care aligned with international best practices and community values.
Cord blood collection and potential uses
Healthcare professionals collect cord blood after clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. The procedure does not cause pain or pose additional risk to the mother or baby.
However, because collection can only take place immediately after birth, parents have a single opportunity to preserve the cord blood.
Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells that can be used to treat certain blood, immune and genetic disorders.
Researchers are also studying their potential applications in regenerative medicine, including possible treatments for conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and type 1 diabetes.
Families enrolled in the service can potentially access their stored stem cells for future treatment of certain conditions affecting their child.
Depending on medical suitability and compatibility, the cells may also benefit other family members.
Local storage and specialized processing
Sidra Medicine’s GMP facility provides families with the option of storing cord blood in Qatar.
Local storage can support sample quality and facilitate access when the cells are medically required.
Beyond cord blood banking, the facility prepares bone marrow stem cells for transplantation and manufactures advanced cell and gene therapy products for pediatric patients at Sidra Medicine.
Where necessary, Sidra Medicine can also facilitate the transfer of stored stem cells to authorized centers in other countries, providing families with additional options for future clinical use.
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