Stem cell treatment still questionable for kidney disease

A group of nephrologists yesterday warned renal disease patients against stem cell therapy, as such treatments have not yet been established as safe and effective. 

Many institutions in developed countries are still researching the use of stem cell treatments for kidney related diseases, they said.

Patients should not be misguided, they said at a press conference on occasion of World Kidney Day, to be observed today.

Bangladesh Renal Association, Kidney Foundation, and Kidney Awareness Monitoring and Prevention Society (KAMPS) jointly organised the conference at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

"We want to clearly inform people that it is not a recognised medical procedure to treat kidney diseases. Patients can face major health risks from such treatments," said Renal Association President Prof Muhammad Rafiqul Alam.

"Patients should follow recognised and conventional medical procedures," he said.

The physician said around 40,000 people are suffering from chronic kidney problems. At one stage, the issues get worse and kidneys stop working completely. Then, there is no option left but to transplant kidneys or have dialysis -- both of which are expensive. For this reason, around 80 percent of patients die without treatment.

Prof Rafiqul stressed on prevention and early detection of kidney diseases. 

Kidney Foundation Secretary General Prof M Muhibur Rahman, BSMMU Nephrology Department Chairperson Asia Khanam, Renal Association Vice President Prof Brig Gen (retd) Mamun Mostafi, and KAMPS President Prof MA Samad also spoke at the programme.

The speakers stressed on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and controlling diabetes and high blood pressure to prevent kidney related diseases.

They also praised the government's decision of setting up 50-bed dialysis unit at every government medical college hospital and 10-bed unit at every district hospital.