Tbilisi City Hall expands transplantation program with new bone marrow donor registry initiative

Tbilisi City Hall is set to expand its Transplantation Program by funding an additional study focused on bone marrow transplantation. This initiative will enable the creation of a stem cell donor registry in Georgia, according to Mayor Kakha Kaladze, who made the announcement during a meeting of the capital’s government on Wednesday. 

Kaladze emphasized that those interested in becoming part of the donor bank and participating in the necessary research should apply to Tbilisi City Hall with the required documentation.

“The establishment of a stem cell donor registry will significantly aid the implementation of allogeneic (non-relative) bone marrow transplants in Georgia. This is crucial for patients and their families, as it will alleviate some of their financial and emotional burdens. The project is being carried out in collaboration with international organizations, which have been supporting this initiative. 

Representatives from these organizations visited our country at the end of last year and held meetings with the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Protection, as well as the City Hall, where they agreed on the specific steps needed,” said Kaladze.

He further explained that volunteers will undergo tests for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing and other necessary studies, all of which will be funded by the municipality.

“In order to establish a stem cell donor registry in Georgia, it is essential to build a base of volunteer donors. This requires conducting research on potential donors. Specifically, volunteers will be tested for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing, hepatitis C and B, and other relevant studies, all of which will be fully financed by the City Hall,” the mayor concluded.