- Expanded Access to Donation: Public cord blood donation services are now available across Mediclinic maternity hospitals, empowering more families to contribute to research and treatment.
- Growing Hospital Network: Abu Dhabi Biobank’s partner hospital network has tripled since May 2025, reflecting rapid national expansion.
- Dual Public and Private Options: Families can choose between public donation or private storage, supporting informed and personalized healthcare decisions.
In a major step toward advancing biomedical research and innovative therapies, Abu Dhabi Biobank has partnered with Mediclinic Middle East to expand access to public cord blood donation services across the UAE. The collaboration enables families to donate umbilical cord blood at birth, directly contributing to scientific discovery and the development of life-saving treatments that improve patients’ quality of life worldwide.
This initiative builds on Abu Dhabi Biobank’s rapidly growing network of partner hospitals, which has tripled since May 2025. By embedding cord blood donation services within established maternity care pathways, the partnership ensures wider awareness, accessibility, and participation among expectant parents.
The Clinical Value of Cord Blood Stem Cells
Cord blood, collected immediately after birth from the umbilical cord, is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells capable of regenerating blood and immune system tissues. Globally, these stem cells have been used in more than 60,000 transplants to treat over 80 life-threatening conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and immune deficiencies.
For families affected by genetic blood disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia—conditions with a high prevalence in the region—cord blood stem cells represent a critical therapeutic resource, offering hope for curative treatment options.
Integrated Public and Private Banking Options for Families
Under the partnership, parents will have the option to donate cord blood to the public bank or privately store it for potential future use in personalized care. By integrating both pathways within trusted maternity settings, the program promotes informed decision-making and removes logistical barriers to participation.
Paul Downey, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Biobank, said: “Cord blood stem cells are among the most powerful tools in regenerative medicine. Our partnership with Mediclinic Middle East ensures that every family can either choose to donate their baby’s umbilical cord or preserve this unique biological resource for their own family, potentially saving lives.”
Rising awareness is already evident, with inbound inquiries related to cord blood banking—both public and private—tripling in recent months, and hospital participation more than doubling in 2025 compared to 2024, according to Abu Dhabi Biobank data.
Strengthening National Biobanking and Healthcare Innovation
By combining Abu Dhabi Biobank’s state-of-the-art cryopreservation and research infrastructure with Mediclinic’s extensive maternity and neonatal care network, families delivering at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital and Mediclinic Al Jowhara Hospital will now have seamless access to cord blood banking services. This includes counselling during pregnancy, safe collection at birth, and secure long-term storage at Abu Dhabi Biobank’s advanced facility in Masdar City.
Abu Dhabi Biobank houses the region’s largest hybrid biobank infrastructure, with capacity to store more than 100,000 cord blood units and millions of biological samples. Local storage accelerates access to matched samples for stem cell transplants while reducing reliance on overseas banks.
Dr. Jacques Kobersy, Chief Medical Officer at Mediclinic Middle East, noted: “The birth of a child represents hope and possibility, and cord blood banking allows families to preserve a small piece of that hope for the future.”
The partnership supports Abu Dhabi’s broader healthcare transformation agenda, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to innovation, research, and preventive, personalized care—beginning at birth.
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