Need for stem cell transplants in SA

THIS Human Rights Day DKMS has placed the spotlight firmly on every child's right to life, especially those fighting rare blood disorders.

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According to DKMS, an international nonprofit organisation dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders, at least 250 paediatric transplants are needed annually, and only 18 are performed which translates to a survival rate of just 20 percent compared to 80 percent in countries like the USA and Europe.

Palesa Mokomele, head of community engagement and communications at DKMS Africa, highlights the urgent need for action: “Every child has the right to healthcare, which should include stem cell transplants. By working together - government, healthcare providers, and the private sector — we can remove the barriers preventing children from receiving the treatment they need.”