By Asmahanim Amir
Pictures by Shahiddan Saidi

CHERAS, 1 October 2017 – Stem cell stored in the stem cell banks provide large benefits in the treatment of difficult diseases such as blood cancer (leukaemia) and lymphoma.

Senior Consultant Hematologist and Head of Cell Therapy  Centre of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Prof Dr S Fadilah S Abdul Wahid said treatments using stem cell is a simple method of treating diseases and acts as an early preparation which can benefit families with history of dangerous diseases such as leukaemia and lymphoma.

“It will not only benefits the baby, but also the siblings,” she said at a forum entitled ‘Stem Cell: Current Medical Applications, Benefits, Risks and the Islamic Perspective’, recently.

She said, because of the numerous benefits, it is a disadvantage when stem cells are buried and not deposited in a stem cell bank.

“However, the rate of stem cell compatibility for use for the siblings is only 25 percent.

“An interesting fact is that, the compatibility rate is high in the East Coast compared to other states,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Cardiologist and Stem Cell Researcher from Cytopeutics Sdn Bhd, Assoc. Prof. Dr Chin Sze Piaw said stem cells can grow quickly when inserted in the diseased areas and makes it healthier.

“Stem cells are in the whole body like organs, bones and muscles, but is decreases with age.

“Chronic diseases adds to the decreasing number of stem cells,” he explained.

He suggested for a database to be created to keep the information on the storage of stem cells in the country.

“This is to facilitate donation and stem cell transfers in the future,” he said.