Surat is going to get a stem cell research institute, which will be developed at state government run New Civil Hospital.
The centre will provide state-of-the-art treatment to patients suffering from deadly diseases. It is expected to start functioning by the end of this year.
The state government has selected Surat for developing the centre. It will be set up at a cost of Rs90 crore next to Lions Cancer Hospital on the campus.
The building will cost Rs70 crore, while machinery and equipment will cost Rs20 crore.
New Civil Hospital will be first government hospital in the state to have such an advanced stem cell centre.
At present, stem cell treatment is done only at two places in Gujarat - Ahmedabad Cancer Hospital and Apollo Hospital (Ahmedabad).
In India, stem cell treatment is available at 25 hospitals.
“Number of sickle cell anaemia patients is rapidly increasing in south Gujarat, especially in tribal areas. Most do not have access to quality treatment. That is why the government has decided to set up the centre,” said MK Wadhel, superintendent of New Civil Hospital.
Stem cell treatment, also known as gene therapy, is a process where new cells are created with the help of primitive cells collected from the patient’s body.
New cells are placed inside the patient’s body, which doubles the speed of recovery. The treatment gives 100% result and is widely accepted in the medical fraternity.
Apart from sickle cell anaemia, stem cell treatment can help patients suffering from blood cancer, thalassemia, diabetes, kidney and heart disease.
Working rapidly on the project, the state government has even appointed doctors for the centre.
“Doctors from the haematology and immunology department of New Civil Hospital have been selected to work at the centre. Other specialists will also be hired if required,” Wadhel said.
