STRENGTHENING HEALTHCARE SERVICES (CORD BLOOD BANKING SERVICE) REGULATIONS 2021 TO ENHANCE CONSUMER PROTECTION

10 January 2024

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NOTICE PAPER NO. 2448
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 10 JANUARY 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Hazel Poa
Non-Constituency MP

Question No. 5288

To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider strengthening the Healthcare Services (Cord Blood Banking Service) Regulations 2021 to provide more provisions for consumer protection given the irreplaceable nature of cord blood.

Answer

1 Private cord blood banking is an elective, for-profit service, where parents pay to store their child’s cord blood for potential future use. There have been 14 withdrawals for transplants since the establishment of cord blood banking services in 2001.

2 The Healthcare Services (Cord Blood Banking Service) Regulations 2021 set licensing requirements for cord blood banks in the collection, handling, processing, storage, and distribution of cord blood. The requirements are aimed at assuring the viability of the cord blood units released for transplant purposes. The Ministry of Health will review areas to strengthen these regulations, where appropriate, arising from the Cordlife incident.