Indore Achieves Major Milestone in Bone Marrow Transplants for Kids

In the past six years, 102 people, including 85 children, have successfully undergone bone marrow transplants at two hospitals linked to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. These procedures, essential for treating severe conditions like blood cancer, are costly in private healthcare.

In a significant medical achievement, 102 individuals, with 85 among them being children, have successfully undergone bone marrow transplants (BMT) in Indore's state-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College hospitals over the past six years, officials reported on Thursday.

BMT, also known as a stem cell transplant, involves infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into a patient to replace malfunctioning bone marrow. It is a critical treatment for serious conditions such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and blood cancer, particularly when private hospital costs can reach exorbitant amounts.

The government hospitals Maharaja Yashwantrao and the Government Super Specialty Hospital have provided these costly treatments to children and adults alike. During a celebratory function on Thursday, MP Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya called for plans to make Indore a national hub for bone marrow transplants, assuring state support for the initiative. Additionally, he called for an investigation into potential health risks posed by additives in popular children's foods.

(With inputs from agencies.)