The Government of Tamil Nadu became the first in India to
recognize the importance of Public Cord Blood Banking by announcing a grant of
Rs. 9 Crores ($1,671,300 USD) to the Public Cord Blood Bank established in 2008
by Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre, a not-for-profit organization. This
grant, to be disbursed over three years, will help Jeevan collect, process,
test and store a minimum of 3000 cord blood donations from Tamil Nadu.
"This is a long awaited major boost to Public Cord Blood
Banking in India. It must be remembered that in every country, the Government
has played the major role in this domain. I am hopeful that other states will
find some funding in the 12th plan allocation for healthcare and
promote cord blood banking in their states" said Dr. P Srinivasan, Co-Founder
and Chairman of Jeevan.
Umbilical Cord Blood, discarded after childbirth, is one of the richest sources of blood forming stem cells and is being used across the world for over two decades for the treatment of blood cancers, Thalassemia and blood disorders.
Thalassemia
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder passed on through parental genes causing the body to produce abnormal hemoglobin.
This grant by the Government of Tamil Nadu is expected to pave the way for other state Governments to participate in creating a larger national inventory with adequate representation of all linguistic groups in India. This will help more Indians find a match and a hope for cure.
Jeevan will make available stem cells from donated umbilical cord blood for the treatment of blood disorders, subject to match, free of any cost to patients from Tamil Nadu including the employees of Government of Tamil Nadu and their dependents.
In 2011, Jeevan released the first stem cell unit for treatment of a 5 year old boy. On 14th November 2012, it launched real time search facility for HLA match at www. bethecure.in and in 2013 January Jeevan released the second unit of stem cells for transplant.
Source: Medindia
Stem Cell Treatment in India: Expert Highlights Potential and Challenges
Blood stem cell transplantation and stem cell treatment in India, the possibilities and challenges ahead and the need for cord blood banks were discussed at a Jeevan oration meet in Chennai.
 Successful Pediatric Stem-Cell Tracheal Transplant: Boy Doing Well Two Years OnA 12 year old boy who received a stem cell tracheal transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is doing well after two years. | Advertisement
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