DOH probing QC clinic that performed stem cell treatment

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating the clinic where a 39-year-old woman reportedly received stem cell treatment before her death.

Health Secretary Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said he ordered that the clinic’s machines, sterility, and protocols be checked.

“May license ba sila to use stem cell? Mayroon kaming listahan ng mga clinic na licensed by the DOH to give stem cell. Chine-check namin ‘yung machine, ‘yung sterility, ‘yung protocols doon sa clinic. So pinapa-check ko pa yan,” the Health chief said at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel forum on Wednesday.

(Do they have a license to use stem cells? We have a list of clinics the Department of Health licensed to provide stem cell treatment. We check the machines, sterility, and protocols at those clinics. So I still need to have that checked.)

READ: What we should know about stem cell treatment in the PH 

Below is the list of DOH-accredited stem cell facilities in the country:

• Lung Center of the Philippines
• Makati Medical Center
• St. Luke’s Medical Center, Inc. (Quezon City)
• St. Luke’s Medical Center, Inc. (Global City)
• National Kidney and Transplant Institute
• Asian Stem Cell Institute, Inc.

Moreover, based on the Food and Drug Administration Circular Number 2013-020, the following procedures are the only widely accepted applications of stem cell therapy: hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, corneal resurfacing with limbal stem cells, and skin regeneration with epidermal stem cells.

Herbosa, in a separate media forum on Tuesday, reminded the public that the DOH has a regulation on the establishment of stem cell clinics as the reach of such therapy expands.

“Babala sa ating mga kababayan para hindi kayo mauwi sa ganito, sa morgue, ay sa inyong pagpapaganda, pagpapabata, i-check po sa ating website ‘yung listahan ng mga stem cell clinic na lisensyado,” he said.

(This is a warning to the public so you don’t end up like this in the morgue with your beautification and rejuvenation: please check our website for the list of licensed stem cell clinics.)

READ: DOH warns against use of intravenous glutathione for skin whitening