Odisha hospital claims to have done 50 bone marrow transplantations

“47 patients are healthy and doing normal activities”

The Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) unit of the Clinical Haematology Department at SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, has performed 50 transplantation cases, earning it the reputation of being the only State government hospital in the country to achieve the milestone.

“The achievement gives us immense satisfaction, especially when we are the only government hospital in the country providing BMT services completely free of cost. The BMT unit boasts of having been state-of-the-art facilities,” said R. K. Jena, Professor and Head of the BMT on Sunday.

Fifty BMT operations have been performed between April 23, 2014, and September 3, 2017. Of these, doctors claimed success in 49 cases by following BMT procedures, including stem cell mobilisation, collection and engraftment.

‘Oldest patient’

In three cases, deaths have been reported – two due to infection on the eighth day and after one month, while one on 178th day due to brain stroke.

“Forty-seven patients are healthy and doing normal activities till date,” said Prof Jena.

The unit claimed to have preformed BMT in Zabar Khan, 74, making him the oldest patient in Asia and Europe to have received the transplant. According to doctors, five elderly persons above 65 years of age have undergone BMT in SCB Medical College.