No intention to store cord blood

There is no intention for the government to offer any form of incentive for couples to bank the umbilical cord blood of their babies, Social Policy Minister John Dalli told Parliament on Tuesday.

Answering a parliamentary question by Jean Pierre Farrugia (PN), Minister Dalli said couples making use of private banking services were being assisted by the staff of public and private hospitals alike, who collected cord blood immediately after delivery. This was being done in a regulated manner with companies authorised to offer the service.

The number of couples who had decided to bank their babies' umbilical cord blood was 125 in public hospitals and 16 in private hospitals or clinics in 2006; 120 and 29 respectively in 2007; and 147 and 18 respectively in 2008. The blood was kept in specialised banks overseas.

Minister Dalli said there had been no application to date by any local or foreign enterprise to store cord blood in specialised banks in Malta.