India’s first government-run cord blood bank begins work in Kolkata

The School of Tropical Medicine’s cord blood bank - the country’s first government run stem cell preservation centre - formally started its journey on Friday

The School of Tropical Medicine’s cord blood bank - the country’s first government run stem cell preservation centre - formally started its journey on Friday.

The School of Tropical Medicine in Kolkata has started country’s first government-run cord blood bank. (Photo credits: School of Tropical Medicine)

An official release said the umbilical cord blood of newborns - that contains stem cells - can be stored in the bank.

“The preserved stem cells can be used in future for treatment of the child or when he becomes an adult in case of congenital and genetic problems and also for tackling number of complicated diseases which cannot be healed by ordinary treatment,” the release said.

The cord blood bank has been formed and would function according to the central and state government’s policies, rules and guidelines.