Fortis hospital Mulund celebrates 100 Bone Marrow Transplants

Fortis Hospital Mulund commemorates a significant achievement in medical history with the successful completion of 100 Bone Marrow Transplants (BMTs). This milestone marks a remarkable journey of hope, resilience, and transformative care for patients battling blood disorders.

Although Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT) are on a steady rise in India, with about 2,500 transplants being performed every year, they only account for less than 10% of the actual requirement in the country. This is due to many factors, including lack of awareness about treatment options, limited access, the cost, and lack of timely diagnosis. To address these challenges and bridge the gap in treatment access, the Institute of Blood Disorders was established at Fortis Hospital Mulund.

Dr Subhaprakash Sanyal, Director Haematology, Haemato-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at Fortis Hospital Mulund, alongside his esteemed team including Dr Hamza Dalal, Consultant-Haematology & BMT, Dr Alisha Kerkar, Associate Consultant-Transfusion Medicine, Dr Kirti Sabnis, Consultant-Infectious Diseases, Dr Lalit Dhantole, Head-Transfusion Medicine, and others, spearheaded a series of successful bone marrow transplants for patients afflicted with various blood disorders such as Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma, Leukaemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Myelofibrosis, Aplastic Anaemia, and more.

The bone marrow transplant procedure, a complex and critical treatment, involves infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into the patient’s body to replace diseased or malfunctioning bone marrow.

Over the course of several months, the Haematology Team at the hospital performed a spectrum of bone marrow transplants, ranging from haploidentical (half-matched) transplants to unrelated bone marrow transplants. Advanced medical management techniques, tailored to the individual needs of each patient, were employed, particularly for elderly patients. These included reduced intensity conditioning and precise stem cell collection, aimed at maximising the success rate of transplants and minimising the risk of complications.

Throughout the transplant journey, the dedicated team at Fortis Hospital Mulund provided comprehensive support and care to patients, addressing their needs at every stage of treatment. Their multidisciplinary approach, integrating paediatric and geriatric care, advanced transplant procedures, and expertise in hematopathology, ensured a holistic and effective treatment experience for all BMT patients.

Dr. Subhaprakash Sanyal, Director Haematology, Haemato-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at Fortis Hospital Mulund, highlighted the hospital’s extensive reach in treating patients not only from India but also from countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Bangladesh. He emphasised the challenge posed by the lack of awareness about the necessity of BMT, which often resulted in delayed consultations with experts. Dr. Sanyal’s efforts, including awareness programs for blood disorders, contributed to reducing the treatment gap and reaching a wider number of patients suffering from blood disorders.

Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director at Fortis Hospital Mulund, said the need for raising awareness about Blood Cancers and the significance of timely intervention. He emphasised that early detection of Blood Cancer significantly enhances the chances of survival and reiterated the transformative impact of BMT in offering hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options. With the introduction of CAR T-Cell Therapy as a standard treatment, Dr. Beri emphasized the integration of modern medical approaches in combating aggressive lymphomas, marking a significant advancement in contemporary medicine.