The Virgin Health Bank (VHB) has announced the completion of one of the world’s most technologically advanced stem cell processing and storage facilities.
The new facility which is located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) is the first of its kind in the country. It will provide families with access to world class cord blood banking services, creating a technology platform that will enable Qatar to be at the forefront of developments in cellular therapies
“We have completed our stem cell processing and storage facility and we can now move on to the final stages of our preparations for accepting the first stem cell units for processing in Qatar,” said Dr Rajan Jethwa, CEO, VHB
“This final process involves the validation of all our equipment and systems and only when it has been completed to the highest standards will we start to accept units at the new facility rather than sending them to the UK. In addition to developing the processing and storage facility itself we have also been developing the capabilities of our organisation by recruiting a highly experienced team of scientists to work in the facility and Clinical Advisors who educate families in the community about cord blood stem cell banking.” Last month, in an initiative designed to ensure that cord blood banking is carried out to the highest technical and ethical standards, the Supreme Council of Health created a licensing requirement for cord blood banks which operate in Qatar.
VHB has been granted the first and, to date, only license to provide cord blood banking services in the country.
“VHB operates to the highest standards. We aim not just to meet but to exceed the requirements of the regulatory regimes under which we operate. We welcome the Supreme Council of Health’s initiative as we believe regulation is important in raising and maintaining standards and protecting families from unethical practices. We are extremely proud to have been awarded the first licence,” said Dr Jethwa.
Since starting operations in September 2009 Virgin Health Bank has developed close working relationships with all of the key organisations involved in delivering antenatal and maternity care in Qatar.
The Peninsula