Chairperson of the Indonesian Stem Cell Association (ASPI), “Stem Cell Therapy as a Treatment Option for No Hope, No Option Diseases.”

Stem cell therapy in Indonesia has become a promising approach for treating several diseases for which no definitive cure has yet been found, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, injuries and traffic accidents, lower back pain and neck pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and others. This was conveyed by Dr. dr. Rahyussalim, SpOT(K), as a keynote speaker in the webinar series titled “Stem Cells, Cells, and Their Metabolites: Are They Legal in Indonesia?” held on Friday, November 13, 2020.

Stem cells themselves are precursor or master cells in the human body that have the potential to develop into various types of specialized cells forming different tissues. In addition, stem cells possess the ability to differentiate into distinct mature cell types and to regenerate themselves (self-renewal). When stem cells divide, each new cell has the potential either to remain the same type of stem cell or to become another type of cell with a specific function, such as bone cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, red blood cells, or brain cells.

In addition to discussing stem cells, the webinar series also addressed the topic “Regulation of the Safe Use of Stem Cells for Clinical Practice and the Indonesian Public,” presented by Dr. Dra. L. Rizka Andalucia, M.Pharm., Apt. In her session, she stated, “Stem cell therapy services in Indonesia are still considered a relatively new technology; therefore, the implementation of this medical service must undergo Health Technology Assessment.”