Mauritius : Global Biohealth Solutions, in conjunction with the world-class Apollo Bramwell Hospital on the island of Mauritius is proud to announce the launch of the Apollo Bramwell Stem Cell Therapy Program . The Hospital has been chosen to offer the first stem cell therapy program within the 53 hospital, 8500 bed strong Apollo Hospitals Group to safely treat patients in the field of cardiovascular, vascular and orthopedic conditions and diseases with bone marrow derived autologous mononuclear cells.

The Apollo Bramwell physicians, in collaboration with leading university hospitals in Germany and France, use the latest FDA and EC registered point of care medical devices for the separation of autologous bone marrow concentrate rich in mononuclear cells. These cells have proven in numerous clinical studies and trials to be a safe and effective method of achieving tissue regeneration.

According to Dr Ramasamy Karuppanan Vengadasalam, Director of Medical Services at the Apollo Bramwell Hospital, the launch of the Stem Cell Therapy Program “is a great day for the Apollo Bramwell Hospital group, the country and part of the region”.

Compared with traditional medical treatments that are not always successful, Dr Vengadasalam said; “It brings hope to patients as it avoids foot or limb amputation”

In the case of certain end-stage vascular diseases such as critical limb ischemia, PAD, diabetic foot and diabetic non-healing ulcer, angiogenesis and ultimately limb salvage have shown to be attainable. Success rates of 66 – 70 percent limb salvage have been obtained and in one study, mononuclear stem cell therapy was able to save 80% of legs with significant improvement in toe pressure, tissue perfusion and better metabolism of critically ill legs. With certain cardiovascular diseases, improvements in ejection fraction and overall cardiac function have been recorded. In orthopedics, autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy has been shown to achieve bone healing in non-union bone fractures, delay the progression of and decrease the pain caused by osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis) and to assist in spinal fusion.

All treatments and protocols have been reviewed and approved by the Apollo Bramwell Hospitals Medical Review Board. Clinical applications for autologous bone marrow mononuclear stem cells include:

Cardiovascular: Acute Myocardial Infarction (within 4 weeks of the acute event), Ischemic Heart Disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Heart Failure.

Vascular: Critical Limb Ischemia, Peripheral (Occlusive) Artery Disease, Diabetic Foot – Threatened Amputation, Diabetic Non-healing Ulcers.

Orthopedics: Bone Fractures, Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis), Spinal Fusion.

The Apollo Bramwell Hospital with its trained physicians and clinical support staff undertake the clinical delivery of the therapy which includes medical record examination, pre-therapy tests, patient preparation, the administering of the therapy, hospital stay and post therapy examination. Global Biohealth Solutions and their patient care managers are responsible for all patient logistical matters including patient education, communication with patients’ physicians, and the transfer of medical records, travel itineraries and accommodation arrangements.