Dubai Health Authority issues guidelines for platelet rich plasma therapy

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 27, 2015: The Health Regulation Department of the Dubai Health Authority(DHA) has recently issued guidelines for platelet rich plasma(PRP) therapy, which is a treatment that has gained significant popularly over the last few years.

PRP therapy uses plasma ( a blood product) that is rich in platelets to enhance tissue regeneration and healing through the use of one’s own blood and natural growth factors.  PRP are injected in the body and the platelets contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which are very important in the healing of injuries. These growth factors stimulate tissue recovery by increasing collagen production, enhancing stem cell proliferation, stimulating blood flow and hence, causing the cartilage to become more firm and resilient.

Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Regulation and the Dubai Medical Tourism initiative, said: “Healthcare professionals have seen a relatively more robust response and significant improvement in tissue health with this therapy.  The popularity of the treatment has increased over the years and since it is a significantly complex procedure that requires special equipment, the regulation department decided to regulate and control this practice in the Emirate of Dubai in order to promote patient safety and ensure the procedure is performed by experts who use the right equipment in the right setting.”

Al Marzouqi said the Department has developed and issued,  “Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Guidelines”  in order to assist health facilities and healthcare professionals in performing safe procedures and promoting patient education. This guideline specify professional experience and training requirements that healthcare professionals must have in order to practice this therapy.

Al Marzouqi highlighted that this treatment promotes healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, joints, and other various musculoskeletal problems. “PRP injections have improved function and decreased pain in various maladies, including  but not limited to elbow, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. In addition to its wide use in sports medicine, PRP has been also used in dental and oral surgery and to aid in soft tissue recovery following plastic surgery, spinal surgery, heart bypass surgery and burns.”

She added that it is important for regulations to keep pace with the advancements in medicine to promote patient safety and ensure delivery of high quality healthcare.