Regenerative medicine now in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) - Stem cell therapy is now available in Iloilo, specifically at St. Paul's Hospital (SPHI), a premier health care provider here.

The first hospital-based stem cell and regenerative medicine facility in this city was recently launched, with a signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) by SPHI, the MedicalConglomerate of Asia, Africa and Oceania, Inc. (MCAAO), and the Iloilo City government.

SPHI Kidney Center Head and Stem Cell medicine coordinator Dr. Helen Caro-Pastolero said the partnership venture identifies SPHI as the medical hub and the MCAAO as technology service provider, with the city government providing support for the medical tourism-categorized project.

St. Paul's hospital administrator, Sister Rosamond Marie Abadesco said ''After months of preparation and planning we are now almost ready to open this innovative program for the people of Iloilo.''

Stem cell medicine is an innovative program involving the engineering of living cells and tissue which are preserved to enhance organ functions. The therapy offers treatment for diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson's Diseases, Alzheimer's disease, among other disorders.

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the launching of SPHI's stem cell medical service ''definitely puts the city in the medical tourism industry map and gives an additional boost to Iloilo City as it gears for premier city status.

''We are fast becoming an emerging haven for businesses and investors as well as medical tourists who are keen about our services in terms of health and wellness,'' said Mabilog who also disclosed that aside from the city's positioning itself as a potential Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit host in 2015 and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017, he has also received communication from the United Nations (UN) ''asking if Iloilo City could host the UN Urban Environmental Accords world conference in 2016.''

Meanwhile, MCAAO Inc. president Dr. Leo Olarte said he is happy that stem cell treatment has been accepted in this part of the country because ''it is for the best interest of patients needing stem cell medical therapy.''

''We hope that our joint venture with SPHI in stem cell therapy will highlight Iloilo's potentials as an ideal medical tourism destination in this part of the country,'' said Olarte.

He informed that the SPHI stem cell facility will utilize the Autologous stem cell transplantation therapy in which stem cells (cells from which other cells of the same type develop) are removed, stored, and later given back to the same person from whom such cells were harvested.

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Regenerative medicine now in Iloilo