Samitivej Children's Hospital Collaborates with Indonesian
Hospitals to Advance Pediatric Healthcare

Samitivej Children’s Hospital Signs an MoU for Mutual Collaboration on 'Academic Training' with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, and RSCM and RSAB Harapan Kita Hospitals

Samitivej Children’s Hospital extends its collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, along with Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and RSAB Harapan Kita Hospital in Indonesia. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU solidifies their partnership in 'Academic Training' for medical personnel and signifies a significant leap forward in advancing pediatric healthcare standards in the region.

Under the leadership of Surangkana Techapaitoon, M.D., Deputy CEO of Samitivej and BNH Hospitals, and Director of Samitivej Children’s Hospital, an MoU for mutual collaboration was signed. The event included dr. Obrin Parulian, M. Kes., Director of Primary Health Care (Direktur Pelayanan Kesehatan Primer), Dr. dr. Lies Dina Liastuti, Sp.JP(K), FIHA, MARS, President Director (Plt. Direktur Utama) of RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, and dr. Ockti Palupi Rahayuningtyas, MPH, MH. Kes, President Director of RSAB Harapan Kita. The signing ceremony took place in Indonesia on July 25, 2023, and showcased the unwavering commitment of executive management, doctors, and nurses to delivering patient care with exceptional effectiveness.

Academic Training for Medical Personnel
A testament to the significance of this collaboration is the Ministry of Health of Indonesia's decision to designate Samitivej Children’s Hospital as the hospital of choice for its doctors and nurses to receive advanced training. This partnership is set to witness a significant milestone this September, as medical teams from Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) and RSAB Harapan Kita Hospital will journey to Samitivej Children’s Hospital for training.

Furthermore, members of the Global Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) team have been instrumental in supporting one another for eight years. This collaboration has been pivotal in establishing BMT programs and providing case consultations through virtual online platforms. Such dedication to knowledge sharing has significantly contributed to the advancement of BMT practices worldwide.

One of the primary reasons behind the Ministry of Health and the doctors from Indonesian hospitals selecting Samitivej Children’s Hospital for collaboration is the hospital’s exceptional expertise in Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). Samitivej Children’s Hospital boasts an impressive one-year survival rate of 96% for BMT patients. This remarkable achievement surpasses international benchmarks, including the European Society for Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation Hemoglobinopathy Registry 2001-2010 which reported a rate of ≥88%. These results highlight the hospital's commitment to excellence in patient care and medical outcomes.

Cancer Treatment Innovations
Samitivej Children’s Hospital's leadership, under the guidance of Professor Suradej Hongeng, M.D., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Specialist, has been instrumental in pioneering innovative treatments. The hospital's hematology and oncology teams, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital at Mahidol University, have conducted research in cell therapy for the treatment of acute leukemia, leading to the development of treatment guidelines that enable pediatric patients with acute leukemia to receive advanced care through CAR T-cell technology. CAR T-cell therapy is a combination of cell and gene therapies used to treat cancer, particularly blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This advanced technology involves genetically engineering the patient's own white blood cells (autologous T-cells) or donor white blood cells (allogeneic T-cells) to enable them to recognize and bind to specific proteins (antigens) found on the surface of cancer cells. After modification, these T-cells are reintroduced into the patient's bloodstream, where they can target and eliminate cancer cells, making it an effective treatment for patients with acute leukemia, especially for those who have not responded to conventional drugs. For instance, CD19 CAR T-cell therapy involves modifying white blood cells to specifically target the CD19 protein present on certain types of cancer cells, such as those in leukemia and lymphoma. BCMA CAR T-cell therapy, on the other hand, is designed to target the BCMA protein found on the surface of multiple myeloma cells.
 
In addition to these advancements, Samitivej Children’s Hospital offers state-of-the-art facilities. The hospital features private rooms on the ninth floor, all equipped with HEPA filters and positive pressure systems to ensure a clean and safe environment for patients. Moreover, the hospital provides bone marrow harvesting facilities within its operating rooms, demonstrating its commitment to facilitating advanced medical procedures.

Thalassemia and Hematology Center 
The Thalassemia and Hematology Center at Samitivej Children’s Hospital provides patient care with its expert team of specialist doctors and nurses and its state-of-the-art laboratory and international-standard equipment. The Center provides accurate diagnoses, thereby increasing treatment effectiveness and efficiency. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation treatment is also currently available. In addition, pediatric patients for whom compatible bone marrow from a sibling is unavailable can receive haploidentical transplantation from a parent, increasing their chances of being cured.

For inquiries or further information, please contact the Thalassemia and Hematology Center, Samitivej Children's Hospital, info@samitivej.co.th.