Kolkata, 1 August (H.S.) -In a major healthcare move, the West Bengal government has announced that bone marrow transplants (BMT) will now be offered free of cost under the Swasthya Sathi scheme in state-run hospitals. This decision aims to provide greater access to life-saving treatments for economically weaker sections.

Currently, BMT is available in nine hospitals across the state, including two government institutions. Eastern India’s first BMT procedure was carried out in 2009 at NRS Medical College and Hospital, followed by Medical College Kolkata in 2011, where the hematology and transfusion medicine department began offering the service.

A senior government official revealed that the proposal to include BMT under the Swasthya Sathi scheme was initially put forward by NRS authorities. The government has now approved the plan, ensuring that patients will not have to bear any cost when treated at public hospitals.

Professor Tufankanti Dalui, Head of the Hematology Department at NRS, informed that 60 BMT procedures are already scheduled at their hospital. Dr. Rajib De, a hematologist and Secretary of the Eastern India Blood Marrow & Cellular Therapy Meet, emphasized the effectiveness of BMT in treating conditions such as thalassemia, aplastic anemia, blood cancers, lymphoma, and myeloma.

He added that BMT in private hospitals typically costs between ₹8 to ₹20 lakh, making it unaffordable for most. “In thalassemia patients, if the transplant is done before the age of 7, the success rate is as high as 90%,” Dr. De said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh