Sidra Medicine, The Pearl International Hospital Sign Agreement for Cord Blood Banking Services

Doha: Sidra Medicine and The Pearl International Hospital have signed an agreement to expand access to cord blood banking services for expectant families in Qatar, allowing maternity patients at The Pearl International Hospital to store their newborn’s umbilical cord blood with Sidra Medicine. 

Under the agreement, families delivering at The Pearl International Hospital will be able to choose cord blood banking as part of their maternity care journey.

Sidra Medicine will be responsible for collecting, processing and storing the cord blood samples at its specialised Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility, which houses Qatar’s only Cord Blood Bank. 

Expanding Access for Expectant Parents

Sidra Medicine’s Chief Research Officer, Prof. Khalid Fakhro, said the partnership expands access to specialised cord blood and tissue banking services for families receiving maternity care at The Pearl International Hospital.

He noted that the service gives parents access to information and support that can help them make informed decisions about preserving potentially valuable biological material for future medical use.

The partnership also reflects Sidra Medicine’s wider commitment to making advanced and specialised healthcare services accessible to more patients and families across Qatar. 

The Pearl International Hospital Welcomes Partnership

Dr. Cem Emir Guldogan, Chief Medical Officer at The Pearl International Hospital, described the agreement as an important milestone in the hospital’s efforts to enhance healthcare standards in Qatar.

He highlighted the hospital’s focus on combining medical expertise, modern technology and compassionate care while following international best practices and respecting the values of the local community. 

What Is Cord Blood Banking?

Cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord after a baby is born and after the cord has been clamped and cut.

According to Sidra Medicine, the collection procedure is painless and poses no risk to either the mother or the baby. It is a one-time opportunity because cord blood cannot be collected later in the individual’s life. 

Cord blood contains stem cells that can be used in the treatment of a range of blood, immune-system and genetic disorders.

Research is also continuing into the possible future role of these cells in regenerative medicine, including conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and type 1 diabetes. These potential applications remain areas of ongoing scientific investigation. 

Registered families may potentially access stored stem cells for certain future treatments involving their child or, where medically appropriate, extended family members.

Samples Stored in Qatar

One of the key benefits highlighted by Sidra Medicine is that its GMP facility allows cord blood samples to remain stored locally in Qatar.

This provides families with access to a specialised local facility while helping maintain the quality and availability of stored samples when required.

Sidra Medicine said it can also facilitate the transfer of stem cells to authorised medical centres outside Qatar when necessary. 

The same GMP facility is involved in preparing bone marrow stem cells for transplantation as well as advanced cell and gene therapy products used in the treatment of paediatric patients at Sidra Medicine.

Strengthening Specialised Healthcare in Qatar

The agreement between Sidra Medicine and The Pearl International Hospital adds another option for families seeking advanced maternity and newborn-related healthcare services in Qatar.

By connecting maternity patients at The Pearl International Hospital with Qatar’s only local cord blood bank, the partnership aims to make specialised stem-cell preservation services available to a wider group of expectant parents.

The collaboration also highlights the growing use of advanced biomedical services as Qatar continues developing its healthcare and medical research capabilities.