Did you know that the 1st bone marrow transplant in India was done on a 9 year old girl at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, for Leukaemia?
Bone marrow transplantation has revolutionised the treatment of many incurable and life-threatening diseases. More than 320 bone marrow transplant centres are worldwide, with over 66,000 transplants. India has been at the forefront of bone marrow transplant therapy. India has over 95 transplant centres. More than 19,000 reported transplants have been done in India, catering not only to Indian patients but also to international patients. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is one of the costliest procedures and is not affordable for all. Please review our comprehensive blog for information on free bone marrow transplants in India.
Let’s look at some hospitals in India that provide financial assistance or free services for bone marrow transplants.
1. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Chennai
Address: GH Post Office, Poonamallee High Road, 3, Grand Southern Trunk Rd, near Park Town, Near Chennai Central, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003.
- At Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital, people covered by the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme can get bone marrow transplants for free. The hospital also receives financial assistance from DKMS Germany and German stem cell donors.
- Suppose the mentioned scheme does not cover you. In that case, the cost of a bone marrow transplant at this hospital is reasonable. Similar to some government hospitals and more affordable than many private-sector hospitals.
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit started in 2018. So far, 75 patients have undergone bone marrow transplants. They cater even to paediatric patients. In 2022, 47 persons, including 29 children, underwent BMT at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital with a more than 90% success rate.
- 21 bedded bone marrow transplant unit equipped with HEPA filters and a dedicated team of renowned haematologists and bone marrow transplant specialists. It has a dedicated hemato-pathology lab, molecular laboratory and round-the-clock blood bank services.
- Experience in performing HLA Matched Related Donor (MRD), Match Unrelated Donor (MUD) and Haploidentical donor (half match) transplants in various disorders.
- It is among India's few centres offering Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) transplants from national and international registries.
2. SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack
Address: Behera Colony, Mangalabag, Cuttack, Odisha 753001
- A special BMT unit was established in February 2014. The entire procedure, from investigations and treatment to recovery, is free. The Orissa government bears all costs.
- SCB MCH has become India's first state government-run hospital to conduct 100 bone marrow transplants.
- The BMT unit at SCBMCH has conducted BMT on five elderly persons above 65. The credit for conducting transplants on the oldest persons in the Asia and Europe region belongs to the unit. This procedure has been published in the Indian Cancer Journal and is followed by other BMT units. The procedure adopted for stem cell collection has also been published in the Brazilian Journal of Haematology.
The Union Government of India has announced plans to establish bone marrow transplant centers at three hospitals in Delhi. This initiative aims to offer affordable bone marrow transplants to patients. This is in response to the high costs and long waiting times currently experienced at AIIMS Delhi, the only central government-run hospital in Delhi offering this facility. The centres will likely be established at Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) in Delhi.
This decision is expected to significantly reduce the waiting times for patients who earlier relied on AIIMS Delhi, which can perform 15 transplants per month. The maximum expenditure for a patient at these transplant centers will be approximately Rs 2 lakh. This cost is considerably lower than those incurred at private hospitals, ranging from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. This move aligns with the government’s decision to make bone marrow transplants more accessible and affordable for patients.
3. Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi
Address: Ansari Nagar East, near AIIMS Metro Station, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
- In June 2023, Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi started its Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit. It has successfully performed its 1st bone marrow transplant.
- Bone marrow transplants at Safdarjung Hospital are done at a negligible cost, making them much more accessible.
Now, let's look at some of India's Free Bone Marrow Transplant Schemes.
Schemes to support free bone marrow transplant in India
Government schemes in India can extend support for free bone marrow transplants. Some of them are:
1. Central Government Health Schemes: It covers the expenses of bone marrow transplants for underprivileged children below 18 years of age at the following hospitals:
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Christian Medical College (CMC) in Vellore and Ludhiana
- Tata Medical Centre in Kolkata
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute in New Delhi
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) in Lucknow
- Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore
2. Ayushman Bharat Yojana/Ayushman Bharat Scheme:
The Ayushman Bharat scheme covers BMT for eligible beneficiaries, like economically dependent people. They are offered financial protection and healthcare benefits. If you require BMT under a covered condition, you may be eligible in empaneled hospitals.
3. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and Health Minister's discretionary grants:
There are national illness assistance funds allocated for life-threatening diseases. These are allocated to AIIMS and central government-run hospitals.
4. Government Hospitals: Some government hospitals in India may provide subsidised or free bone marrow transplants to economically liable patients.
FAQs
1. What is the role of government hospitals in providing free bone marrow transplants?
Government hospitals may offer subsidised or free bone marrow transplants to economically disadvantaged patients.
2. Are there any income criteria for availing of free bone marrow transplants in India?
The above-mentioned institutions provide free or subsidized bone marrow transplants. However, based on the government schemes, there are many criteria:
- Children under 12, with a family income below INR 5 lakhs yearly, can get free bone marrow transplants.
- If you're under 18 and have severe aplastic anaemia and your family earns less than INR 8 lakhs per year, you qualify for a free bone marrow transplant.
3. Do I need to travel to a specific location in India for a free bone marrow transplant?
You should check with different healthcare facilities and organisations to find options that suit your location.
4. Can international patients avail themselves of free bone marrow transplants in India?
No, these free or subsidized bone marrow transplants are only available for Indian citizens.
5. Are there any hidden costs associated with free bone marrow transplants in India?
The transplant itself may be covered, but there could be other costs such as pre-transplant evaluations, post-transplant care, and medications. The healthcare team will inform you in advance.
6. Can I choose the type of bone marrow transplant (allogeneic or autologous) in a free program?
The type of transplant depends on the specific medical condition and program guidelines. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare team.
7. Is there a waiting list for free bone marrow transplants in India?
There is indeed a waiting list for free bone marrow transplants in India.
