The stem cells are used mainly as regenerative treatment where any degeneration process could be targeted. It could be used in assisting treatments related to injuries, Autism, Thalessemia, cancer and other mental and physical disorders
NEW DELHI: Buoyed by the benefits of stem cell treatment for an array of health ailments, medical professionals in the state have been fast at work making quick money from patients, but many of these mushrooming clinics remain unregistered and keep ignoring rules thereof.
As per records of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), only a single stem cell clinic operating from Chandreshekarpur area of the state capital is registered with it so far. The government-run organisation is part of the ministry of health and family welfare, while a large number of other clinics boasting about the marvelous benefits of the therapy operate in an unregulated manner.
A quick online search about such centres and their advertisements in cities across Orissa would show that such centres and their branches are functional in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and a few other cities.
As per the guidelines of the ICMR on stem cell therapy, all those clinics — public and private — carrying out research on human stem cells should be registered with the ICMR’s stem cell unit and are mandated to abide by the norms it sets. The norms include maintaining a registry on stem cell research, coordinating with the oversight committee, prior approvals etc.
As per the ICMR norms of 2013, every use of stem cells in patients outside an approved clinical trial shall be considered a malpractice.
These norms were introduced with a view to curbing malpractices in stem cell ‘therapy’ being offered as a new tool for curing as yet untreatable diseases.
The ICMR registry names a total of 59 such clinics existing in the country. Many are not granted registration on the ground they failed to meet the set requirements.
“The stem cells are used mainly as regenerative treatment where any degeneration process could be targeted. It could be used in assisting treatments related to injuries, Autism, Thalessemia, cancer and other mental and physical disorders,” says Dr Rewati Raman Rahul, a public health expert.
Manish Kumar, OP