The Research Institute for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (RIHBT) conducted an operation of stem cell transplantation, the Ministry of Health said.

In 2017, scientists of the institute provided medical care to five patients who suffered from blood disease. Autotransplantation was used (the patient acted as a donor for himself) - this method is used in cases of lymphoma and myeloma. In such conditions, the patient's basic stem cells remain healthy, and the operation is performed by their transplantation to the patient. The patients are now recovering.

In cases of acute forms of leukemia, a patient needs a donor (allotransplantation). The scientists are currently preparing to put this method into practice, said Professor Hamid Karimov, head of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Cell Technologies at RIHBT.

"The allogeneic transplantation is not regulated in Uzbekistan. This year, the Organs, Tissues and (or) Human Cells Transplantation Bill is expected to be signed into law. We are waiting for this," he told.

In acute forms of leukemia, firstly, a patient's siblings and sisters can become primary donors, as well as those whose HLA-antigenic system of blood stem cells is the same as that of the patient. In the future, donor stem cell bank is to be created to fully cover the demand.

According to Hamid Karimov, operations on blood stem cell transplantation became possible due to state aid and grants from the Turkish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (TIKA).

"Our operations are free of charge. In Germany, such an operation will cost around 150 thousand euros, in Turkey - up to 100 thousand dollars. With sufficient funding, we could operate 15-20 people per year. For this, we need to switch to mixed financing. Now our institute ismainly funded by the state,"- he said.

With the purpose of introducing new technologies into practice, a Center for Treatment of Hematopoietic Stem Cells has been created under the Research Institute. To master this method of treatment, about 35 specialists - hematologists, doctors, laboratory assistants and nurses - have undergone training in Turkey, Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic and the USA.