Sidra Medicine pioneers cord blood banking in Qatar

QATAR—Sidra Medicine, part of Qatar Foundation, has introduced the country’s first-ever cord blood banking service.

This innovative service provides families in Qatar with a way to preserve their newborns’ stem cells for potential future medical needs.

This new facility marks a major milestone, as it allows parents to safely store their child’s cord blood locally, without the need to send samples overseas.

Cord blood banking involves collecting and storing blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord and placenta right after birth. This process is entirely safe, painless, and non-invasive for both the mother and baby.

The collected cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can be used to treat various medical conditions, including certain cancers, blood disorders, and immune diseases.

Prof. Johnny Awwad, Chair of Women’s Services at Sidra Medicine, emphasized that having this facility in Qatar offers a unique advantage for families, as it ensures immediate access to their child’s stem cells when needed most.

By eliminating the need for international shipping, families can have peace of mind knowing their samples are preserved under the best conditions in Qatar.

Increasingly, parents worldwide are turning to cord blood banking to secure their children’s future health. These stem cells can be used to treat not only the child but also siblings, should the need arise.

Sidra Medicine’s state-of-the-art Cord Blood Bank operates under stringent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. It uses cryogenic freezing technology to preserve samples securely for over 30 years.

This advanced facility ensures the highest quality and safety standards, providing families with reassurance and reliability.

Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, highlighted that the cord blood banking service aligns with Sidra’s precision medicine strategy and further strengthens Qatar’s healthcare landscape.

He noted that more than 80 diseases could potentially be treated using banked cord blood, making it a valuable resource for families, especially those with a history of genetic health conditions.

Stem cell banking now accessible to more Qatari families

Additionally, Sidra Medicine recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CellSave Arabia, a leading name in stem cell banking.

This partnership enables families throughout Qatar to use the joint Sidra Medicine and CellSave Arabia service as their preferred provider for cord blood storage, regardless of the hospital where their baby is delivered.

Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine, shared that this collaboration with CellSave Arabia aligns closely with Sidra’s mission to promote healthcare advancements for healthier families across Qatar.

She expressed gratitude for CellSave’s extensive reach and added that this partnership provides families across the country with a local option for stem cell storage for the first time.

Alia Abdel-Razeq, COO of CellSave Arabia, noted that the collaboration with Sidra Medicine represents a significant step forward in Qatar’s healthcare innovation.

Leveraging Sidra’s exceptional facilities and expertise, CellSave Arabia aims to expand its offerings and ensure families have convenient access to essential stem cell banking services that support their future health needs.

Currently, Sidra Medicine offers cord blood banking on-site, with plans underway to extend the joint service to families delivering at other hospitals in Qatar. 

Future offerings are also in development, including options for umbilical cord, placental tissue, amniotic tissue, and Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) banking, further solidifying Qatar’s commitment to advanced healthcare options for its residents.

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