Issue clear policy on stem cell treatment, gov’t urged
Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento urged the government yesterday to come out with a clear policy on stem cell treatment, which is being offered by many local medical outfits amid reports of its harmful side effects.
“This so- called stem cell therapy, if proven to be true, could be one of the greatest breakthroughs in the field of medical science. Because of this, there is now a surge of various medical outfits claiming to possess the knowhow to administer stem cell therapy and have been offering treatments to patients,” Sarmiento said.
“I will definitely ask for a congressional inquiry, parallel to any other investigations by government agencies and independent medical groups. This concerns public safety. I am also concerned about reports of stem cell treatments being done in the country,” he said.
He said it was worrisome that the Department of Health (DOH) has no clear guidelines on how these stem cell therapy clinics should be regulated.
He said there is no law that tackles this subject matter “despite the fact this is potentially dangerous to public safety,” he said.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over reports that some stem cell treatments are held clandestinely in fivestar hotel rooms.
“This is definitely a very anomalous situation which the DOH should seriously look into considering the health hazards it could inflict on public safety and health. Congress, in consultation with all concerned government agencies and private entities, should act promptly,” he said.
He said other medical practices such as liposuction, organ transplantation and enhancements and other cosmetic surgery procedures should be strictly regulated by the government.
Sarmiento’s statement came following reports that three veteran members of Congress who recently passed away were recipients of stem cell therapy and their bodies could have rejected the stem cell administered to them.
Although the procedures on the lawmakers were reportedly done in a popular stem cell therapy center in Europe, he said there are now several clinics in the Philippines that offer stem cell therapy services.
It was reported the Philippine Medical Association is also conducting an investigation as to the circumstances of the death of the three politicians who last year supposedly went to Germany for the treatment.
Sarmiento also expressed concern about reports that aside from the so-called autologous adult stem cell treatment, which is derived from the patient’s own blood, bone marrow or fat, approved by the DOH, there are those receiving the questionable, if not dangerous, animal-based stem cells.