Sidra Medicine and The Pearl International Hospital Sign Agreement for Cord Blood Banking Services

Access to Qatar’s only Cord Blood Bank at Sidra Medicine now available for expectant families delivering at The Pearl International Hospital

Doha, Qatar – 30 August 2026: Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, and The Pearl International Hospital have signed an agreement to provide expectant parents with access to Sidra Medicine’s cord blood banking services.

The agreement will provide expectant parents the choice to store their baby’s umbilical cord blood with Sidra Medicine, as part of their maternity care journey with The Pearl International Hospital. Sidra Medicine will collect, process and store the samples at its specialized GMP facility, which houses Qatar’s only Cord Blood Bank.

Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: “This agreement expands access to an important innovative and specialized service for expectant parents in Qatar. By making clinical-grade cord blood and tissue banking services available to families receiving maternity care at The Pearl International Hospital, we are providing them with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about preserving these valuable biological resources. It also reflects Sidra Medicine’s continued commitment to advancing specialized healthcare services for as many patients and families across the country.”

Dr. Cem Emir Guldogan, Chief Medical Officer at The Pearl International Hospital expressed the hospital’s pride in this significant achievement, highlighting the hospital’s role in providing advanced medical care to the community and reaffirming its continued commitment to enhancing high-quality healthcare services.

Dr. Guldogan said: “This agreement represents an important milestone in our journey to elevate healthcare standards in the State of Qatar. The Pearl International Hospital has been developed to offer world-class medical expertise, innovative technologies, and an environment that promotes holistic well-being. Our commitment is to provide high-quality, compassionate care that aligns with international best practices while respecting the values of our community.”

The collection of the cord blood is painless and risk-free for both mother and baby and is performed after the cord is clamped and cut. It is a one-time collection opportunity, and not possible to harvest later in life.   

Cord blood contains stem cells which are used in the treatment of a range of blood, immune, and genetic disorders with ongoing research to explore their potential in regenerative medicine for diseases like cerebral palsy, autism and type 1 diabetes. Registered families of the service can access the stem cells for the future treatment of certain diseases and conditions for their child as well as for extended family members.

Cord Blood Banking Services at Sidra Medicine

The GMP facility at Sidra Medicine is the only facility in Qatar with a Cord Blood Bank, offering families the unparalleled advantage of keeping the samples in the country. This ensures their optimal quality and immediate

access when needed most. The GMP facility also prepares Bone Marrow stem cells for transplantation and advanced Cell and Gene Therapy products for the treatment of pediatric patients at the hospital.

Sidra Medicine can facilitate the transfer of the stem cells to authorized centers in other countries. These advantages matter for families seeking a trusted, locally managed way to preserve a once-in-a-lifetime biological resource.  For more details, please visit: www.sidra.org.