Virgin's Doha cord blood bank likely by July 2010.

DOHA Virgin Health Bank's (VHB) cord blood bank would open in Doha in July 2010, the VHB officials announced on Monday. The officials said that the VHB, in partnership with Qatar Foundation, had planned to relocate VHB's international headquarters to Qatar Science & Technology Park in Doha to go with the commissioning of a brand new cryogenic- use, sub-zero temperature storage facility. Speaking at a media roundtable at the Innovation Centre of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) and explaining the strategies adopted by the VHB, the VHB Chief Executive Officer David Macauley, pointed out, "Headquartered in Doha, the VHB will be a centre of excellence and a medical resource for Qatar. More than a dozen samples have been stored under a pilot study conducted in the last few months. VHB has coordinated with the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Airways for safe, secure and speedy transportation of the cord blood cells as time is of the essence in this case. The cord cells will be stored at a temperature of -180 degree Centigrade." At present, the cord blood cells are stored in London. Speaking about the pilot programme which will be completed by the end of September, the Chief Operating Officer of VHB, Dr Magnus Nicholson, said that the officials of VHB were in constant touch with the health authorities in Qatar and the leading hospitals such as HMC and some private hospitals in the country. "The aim is to provide a quality ethics-compliant cord blood banking service not only in Qatar but also in the entire region and beyond. VHB offers the choice of dual banking--storing a baby's cord blood stem cells privately or in public banks-- which will make it possible to help the individuals, their families as well as others. One part of the cord blood stem cell will be stored in the private bank entirely for the use of the individuals and their families and the other part will be placed in the public bank for the benefit of other people." He also mentioned that leukemia was the second largest form of cancer prevalent in Qatar and it was in the treatment of leukemia that the stem cells could play a vital role saving hundreds of precious lives. Cord blood refers to the blood found in the blood vessels of placenta and the portion of the umbilical cord that remains attached to it after a baby is born and the umbilical cord is cut off. The baby no longer needs this extra blood. This blood is called placental blood or umbilical cord blood and "cord blood" for short. Cord blood is being used increasingly on an experimental basis as a source of stem cells, which are undifferentiated cell capable of turning into specialized types of cells. So, stem cells hold much promise for treating patients with serious diseases because stem cells might be "programmed" or coaxed into becoming many different kinds of tissues in the body. In theory, for example, if scientists could discover how to program stem cells to become spinal cord tissue, then stem cells could be prepared and injected into patients with spinal cord injuries and the injected stem cells could repair the damaged area. Most cord blood transplants have been done to treat diseases of the blood and immune system. It has also been used to restore the functional deficiencies of several genetic metabolic diseases. They are used to fight various blood disorders, such as leukemia. Health care professionals support public cord blood banks as they provide an opportunity for patients to find donated stem cells that match their own. In March 2009, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and Virgin Health Bank announced a partnership and had started the pilot study for the project. Speaking about the cost, Commercial Director of VHB, Andrew Glen, said that initially the cost would be QR 12,950 for storing the cord blood and the facility is open to all the residents of the country. "What we are offering is the highest level of quality. We expect to reach the forefront of the activities once the whole project becomes fully operational. The pilot studies and the awareness campaigns will help the people realise the importance of cord blood banking and we are hopeful of transforming the health scene in Qatar through the use of cord blood stem cells for treatment of hitherto many incurable conditions," he added.

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