Pay attention to things

The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of Polda Metro Jaya raided a stem cell clinic in Kemang, South Jakarta, Saturday (11/1) night. The stem cell clinic was sealed because of the practice of stem cell treatment which is considered illegal.

The sealing of stem cell clinics originated from reports from the public who were suspicious about medical practice without the permission of the BPOM. How to choose the correct stem cell clinic and what exactly are stem cells?

Get to know stem cell treatment and its benefits

Stem cells or stem cells are special cells of the human body that can be developed into various types of new cells. Under certain conditions in the laboratory and in the human body, these cells can develop into brain cells, blood cells, heart cells, and others.

So far, researchers have been able to obtain stem cells from the following sources:

• The embryo is 3-5 days old. During this period, the new embryo consists of 150 cells. These cells are called pluripotent cells.
• Adult bone marrow or fatty tissue.
• Adult body cells are genetically modified into pluripotent cells such as in embryos.
• Amniotic fluid and blood from the umbilical cord.

Stem cell therapy is in great demand because of its enormous benefits for the medical world. According to National Institutes of Health , this treatment has the potential to increase understanding of disease, replace damaged tissue, and ensure the safety and efficacy of new drugs.

However, stem cell therapy using someone else's embryo is considered morally and ethically illegal and is illegal in some countries. This therapy is also very complicated and should not be done haphazardly.

How to choose the right stem cell therapy provider

The high demand for stem cell therapy has made many places competing to provide this treatment. There are also many health and beauty products that are claimed to contain stem cells. In fact, the use of stem cells cannot be applied naturally.

If you need stem cell treatment, you need to be careful in choosing a service provider to avoid illegal practices. Here are a few things you need to consider:

1. Legal service providers

In Indonesia, so far there are only 11 hospitals that provide stem cell treatment legally. Two of them, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Jakarta and RSUD Dr. Soetomo Surabaya is the supervisor, while the other nine are assisted hospitals, namely:

• RSUP Dr. M. Djamil Padang
• The Heart of Harapan Kita National Central Hospital Jakarta
• Fatmawati Hospital Jakarta
• Dharmais Cancer Hospital Jakarta
• Friendship Hospital Jakarta
• Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung
• RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta
• RSUP Dr. Kariadi Semarang
• Sanglah Hospital Bali

2. Doctor's experience and success rate

Stem cell therapy is not free from risks. One way to reduce this risk is to know the experience and level of success of the doctor in charge of this therapy.

Before undergoing therapy at a stem cell clinic, consult the doctor in charge of everything you need to know. If necessary, ask about the success rate of therapy and the risks that may arise related to your condition.

3. Cost of therapy

Therapy in stem cell clinics is not simple and costly. Each service provider may also charge different fees. Therefore, make sure you choose this method because you really understand its benefits.

4. Asking previous patients

Therapeutic providers at legal stem cell clinics have many past patients with their own experiences. Some patients may be willing to share their stories with the wider community. If possible, try asking them about their experiences in person.

Stem cell therapy may not be completely out of controversy. However, you can optimize its benefits and reduce the risks by choosing the right stem cell therapy provider.