Community cord blood stem cell storage at the Community Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. (Photo: VNA) This initiative is part of Project 1816 by the Ministry of Health aimed atsupporting lower-level hospitals in enhancing the quality of medicalexamination and treatment.
Medical personnel from Nghe An General Friendship Hospital, Phu Tho ProvincialGeneral Hospital, and Thai Nguyen Central Hospital have participated in thecourse. Over eight weeks, doctors and nurses receive theoretical training andhands-on guidance on the autologous stem cell transplant procedure at the StemCell Transplant Department, in the Stem Cell Bank of the Institute.
According to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion,hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an optimal treatment that can helpmany people suffering from both malignant and benign blood diseases, givingthem the opportunity to recover and resume a normal life. However, thistechnique is complex and requires strict adherence to procedures to ensure thehighest professional standards.
Autologous stem cell transplantation involves the collection and storage of thepatient's own stem cells, which are then reinfused to restore hematopoietictissue. Successful implementation of autologous stem cell transplantationnecessitates meticulous preparation and collaboration with experts.Participation in training and technology transfer serves as an initial step inpreparing human resources for lower-level healthcare facilities.
Thanks to the support and technology transfer provided by the National Instituteof Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Nghe An General Hospital and Da NangHospital have successfully performed their first autologous stem celltransplants.
Prior to these procedures, experts from the Institute conducted surveys andconsultations to ensure the readiness of facilities, as well as theirequipment, drugs, chemicals, and other necessary resources for thetransplantation process.
During the first transplant procedure, the Institute's experienced staffdirectly supervised and performed tasks such as stem cell separation, stem celltransfusion, and close monitoring of the patient's progress. This includedordering tests, adjusting medications, and promptly addressing anycomplications that arose.
The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion holds a leadingposition in the country as a specialised facility for receiving and storingcord blood stem cells, conducting pre-transplant testing, monitoring stem celltransplantation outcomes, and implementing hematopoietic stem cell transplantationto treat haematological diseases.
The Institute has been conducting autologous stem cell transplants since 2006.As of June 2023, they have successfully performed over 570 hematopoietic stemcell transplants using various complex techniques and cell sources. Thesesources include different types of stem cells, such as cord blood stem celltransplants (both with matching and non-matching blood types) and half-matchingtransplants (haplotype transplants) combined with cord blood stem cells. Theapplication of stem cell transplantation techniques continues to expand,enabling the treatment of a wider range of diseases and extending the age limitfor transplantation.
As a leading specialised institution, the National Institute of Hematology andBlood Transfusion is committed to providing support and transferring advancedtechnologies that are suitable for the conditions of lower-level hospitals,including autologous stem cell transplantation techniques. This activitycontributes to improving the quality of diagnosis and treatment in various regionsthroughout the country, thereby enhancing access to better healthcare servicesfor patients in their local communities./.
VNA
