Doha, Qatar; Sidra Medicine has officially launched the country's first local cord blood banking service, providing families with an innovative opportunity to preserve their newborns' stem cells for potential future medical needs. 

The new service allows parents to collect and store cord blood from their newborns' umbilical cord and placenta, a process that is painless, non-invasive, and risk-free for both mother and baby. Cord blood is known to be rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can be utilized in treating various medical conditions, including certain cancers, blood disorders, and immune system diseases.

Prof. Johnny Awwad, Chair of Women's Services at Sidra Medicine, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, "As the only facility in Qatar providing local cord blood storage, Sidra Medicine offers an unparalleled advantage by keeping the samples in the country. This ensures their optimal quality and immediate access when needed most, compared to having them shipped from abroad. Cord blood is increasingly being stored by parents everywhere, who are seeking to preserve their child's stem cells as they can be crucial for their child or their sibling/s in the future. Our commitment to the latest technology and international standards further guarantees the utmost reliability and peace of mind for families in Qatar."