Cord-blood bank opened in Kolkata

To enable patients have a lifesaving transplant treatment in the future with stem cells, a centre for reservation of cord-blood was inaugurated at the School of Tropical Medicine (STM) here.
The state-run cord blood bank would help patients get miraculous results in many medical complications related to kidney, liver, diabetes and even cancer, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said after inaugurating the bank.
Dr Niranjan Bhattacharya who heads the regenerative medicine and translational science department said around 20 international scientists would come to the centre for conducting research work soon.
They would stay for around three months, he said, adding that they are the first in applying amniotic fluid therapy in the world.

The centre has applied for clearance from the Central government to start the centre, he said, adding that they are expecting to get the final documents soon.
The umbilical cord is rich in life-saving stem cells that can only be collected at birth, and can be preserved for a lifetime. These stem cells have the potential to treat over 80 medical conditions including blood disorders, immune diseases with ongoing research continuing to bring about additional benefits using these cells.

Banerjee, also the health minister, said they will start 45 fair price diagnosis centres in the state where even dialysis for kidney-related ailments can be availed at cheaper rates.

"Two were started today while the rest will start in the next 3-4 months," she said, adding that they will launch 61 fair price medicine shops which will sell at concession up to 70 per cent of the existing market prices.
Banerjee urged doctors to stay in Bengal and serve the rural populace.
She also laid the foundation stones of 24 super speciality hospitals, to be established in different districts.