Claiming that most of the stem-cell based therapies for the treatment of various health conditions are still experimental, Sindh caretaker health minister Dr Saad Khalid Niaz on Tuesday warned healthcare professionals and institutions not to offer “experimental treatment” without approval from the healthcare authorities.
“Except for a few blood-related health conditions, stem-cell therapy is still an experimental treatment and not approved for many health conditions for which it is being portrayed as a cure in Pakistan. Those offering experimental treatments as cure for cardiovascular disease and stroke as well as for several other health conditions are misleading the patients,” he told a news conference at the Karachi Press Club.
Accompanied by Human Organ Transplant Authority Administrator Dr Aijaz Khanzada, Chief Executive Officer Sindh Healthcare Commission Dr Ahson Qavi, renowned hematologist Dr Salman Adil, Dr Natasha Ali and others, Dr Niaz said some individuals and healthcare facilities were offering treatment of autism, stroke, bone and joints conditions and other diseases through stem-cell therapy, which was not proven and not evidence-based treatment.
He deplored that millions of rupees were being extorted from patients for the experimental treatments, which were not proven and approved by any healthcare regulatory authority in the world. He advised such practitioners to avoid misleading people through their advertisements and claims.
“For experimental treatments, consent of the patients is sought after taking permissions from the health regulatory authorities while patients are clearly informed about the outcome of the experimental therapies,” he said but deplored that in Pakistan, these therapies were being presented as ultimate cure for many incurable conditions, which was deplorable.
To a query, he said Sindh was already facing an acute shortage of healthcare workers and if they were assigned election duties, it would be an injustice to the patients.
“We have requested the Election Commission of Pakistan not to assign election duties to the healthcare workers as we are facing a 40 percent shortage of healthcare workforce while hospitals are already under pressure due to ongoing viral infections,” he added.
Hematologist Dr Salman Adil said they were performing stem-cell transplants but it was still an experimental treatment except for a few blood-related health conditions. However, he deplored that this therapy was being portrayed as cure for many incurable health conditions in Pakistan.
“There is no evidence available yet that stem cell therapy is the treatment or cure for cardiovascular disease, stroke or autism as being marketed by some people,” he added.