Unlike other parts of the world, there is no public cord blood bank in South Africa. Photo: Getty Images
The SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) has joined hands with Net cells, the largest and longest established private cord blood bank in Africa, making cord blood available to patients in need of a bone marrow transplant, starting this April.
Since the 90s, advances in umbilical cord blood technology have made cord blood transplants a viable alternative to conventional bone marrow or stem cell transplants. Still, up till now, access has been a challenge.
Jane Ward, Deputy Director at the SABMR, explains that unlike in other parts of the world, there is no public cord blood bank in South Africa, and the prohibitive cost of bringing in cord blood units from overseas isn t feasible for most patients. She says access to cord blood will significantly assist the registry with finding matches, especially for ethnic patients.
iAfrica 59 mins ago 4 min read
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The SA Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) has joined hands with Netcells, the largest and longest established private cord blood bank in Africa, who will be making cord blood available to patients in need of a bone marrow transplant, starting this April.
Since the ‘90s, advances in umbilical cord blood technology have made cord blood transplants a viable alternative to conventional bone marrow or stem cell transplants, but up till now, access has been a challenge.
Jane Ward, Deputy Director at the SABMR explains that unlike other parts of the world, there is no public cord blood bank in South Africa and the prohibitive cost of bringing in cord blood units from overseas simply isn’t feasible for most patients.