Conference Raises Understanding of Stem Cell in Vietnam

Researchers and experts on biotechnology from across the country gathered in a December 24 conference themed “Stem Cell Day 2014” to foster understanding of stem cell research and potential applications to disease and injury treatment. The event was co-organized in Ho Chi Minh City by the municipal Society for Stem Cell Research (SSCR) and the Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application under the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Natural Sciences. Chairman of the SSCR – Ho Chi Minh City Truong Dinh Kiet said while stem cell research has made great strides over recent years, contributing to curing many fatal diseases, the public know little about its use. He noted that Vietnam now has five stem cell banks, which keep about 10,000 samples, accounting for only 0.05% of the annual birth rate. Meanwhile, Dr. Pham Van Phuc from the University of Natural Sciences stressed the need for advancing related technologies, saying that outdated equipment pushes up treatment costs while there is a shortage of stem cell supply and support technology. Participants also pointed to a lack of quality researchers and doctors specializing in the field, with the number of specialists involved in stem cell-related activities at around 300. In Vietnam, stem cells research and application in medical treatment have been carried out since the 1990s. The technology has been used in the treatment of blood diseases, cardiology, dermatology, brain paralysis, and surgery. In 1995, the country conducted the first stem cell transplant for a 26-year-old patient with blood cancer. By now, many hospitals have applied the technology in health treatment, including Hue Central Hospital, National Paediatric Hospital, Hospital 108 and August 19 Hospital, the Haematology and Blood Transfusion Hospital, Hospital 115. Hundreds of stem cell transplants have been carried out nationwide so far, mostly on patients of blood diseases. (Vietnam News Dec 25)