In what is described as the world's biggest experiment in the use of stem-cell therapy for patients with serious heart problems, the Brazil's Ministry of Health is spending US$ 5.48 million (13 million reais) on a stem-cell therapy trial on 1,200 heart patients.

If the treatment is proved efficient it will become part of Brazil's public health service know as SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde - Health Unified System).

Spokesmen for the ministry report that the SUS could save up to US$ 210 million (500 million reais) annually on transplants, hospitalizations and other surgeries on heart patients if the treatment with stem cells works.

As for the patients, they will certainly have better quality of life with less need to use medications and fewer hospital visits.

And it is also estimated that the new treatment could save as many as 200,000 lives over a three year period.

ABr - www.radiobras.gov.br

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