The Health Bureau thanked various Mainland authorities and units for facilitating the smooth delivery of a cord blood haematopoietic stem cell unit from the Mainland to Hong Kong today for the treatment of a five-year-old girl suffering from thalassaemia.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the exercise exemplifies the close relationship between Guangdong and Hong Kong and brings hope for the paediatric patient’s treatment.

He thanked the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the Red Cross Society of China for their substantial support, which enabled the Guangdong Cord Blood Bank's smooth delivery of the stem cell unit to the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital (HKCH).

The HKCH has been providing treatment for the paediatric patient concerned and is planning to perform a haematopoietic stem cell transplant on her.

After being made aware of a cord blood haematopoietic stem cell unit of the patient’s relative being stored at a cord blood bank in Guangzhou, the medical team communicated and collaborated with the cord blood bank to actualise its successful cross-boundary delivery.