The American Oncology Institute (AOI), one of the largest cancer chain hospitals in South Asia, launched of one of the largest Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) programs in India. The program has expanded to cities such as Nagpur, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Imphal, aiming to meet the growing demand for specialized BMT services.
Blood cancers constitute 8.2% of all cancers, and in India, its incidence is 5.5 cases per 1 lakh population per year. About 80,000 new blood cancer cases are detected per year, and one new blood cancer is reported every 7 seconds in India. The need for Bone Marrow Transplant programs in India has never been more critical.
BMT is a life-saving procedure for life-threatening conditions, including cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and benign conditions such as thalassemia and aplastic anemia. The shortage of advanced BMT facilities in the country has been a pressing issue, and AOI’s expansion addresses this gap by offering cost-effective BMT services to a larger population.
Dr Amit Dhawan, RCOO, AOI, added, “Our mission has been to provide quality healthcare services to all sections of society. With the expansion of our BMT program, we are taking another step towards achieving that goal.”
Dr Anil Aribandi, Haemato Oncologist and BMT Specialist, AOI Hyderabad, emphasized the importance of BMT programs in India. “Bone Marrow Transplantation is a game-changer in the treatment of blood-related disorders and certain cancers. It offers hope to patients who may not have had any other viable treatment options. With this expansion, AOI is making a significant contribution to healthcare in India.”
Dr Prabhakar P, RCOO, AOI, Hyderabad, said, “By embracing cutting-edge treatments and fostering a nurturing environment, we aspire to provide hope and healing to every patient and family that walks through our doors. The launch of this expansive BMT program is a testament to AOI’s commitment to delivering excellent healthcare services. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care, and this program will play a crucial role in saving lives and improving the quality of life for countless patients.”
In a case study, AOI at Nangia Specialty Hospital in Nagpur saved a 41-year-old male suffering from Relapsed Multiple Myeloma from Haryana. The BMT team performed Bloodless Autologous bone marrow transplant, using the patient’s own cells for transplant, reducing the chances of infection and rejection. No blood or platelets transfusion was required during the transplant. The accessibility and affordability of medical services at AOI played a crucial role in providing a cost-effective bone marrow transplant.
Dr Shailesh Bamborde, BMT Specialist, AOI Nagpur, said, “This innovative bloodless transplant treatment approach to multiple myeloma may open the door to the complete cure of Myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is a severe type of cancer with debilitating symptoms. We are proud to have made a significant impact on the life of this patient and are committed to continuing our efforts to provide advanced BMT treatments to more patients in need.”
