KEM Hospital Set To Launch Bone Marrow Transplant Programme: A New Hope For Patients

King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, located in Parel East, is set to introduce a bone marrow transplant programme. The hospital has formally applied for approval from the relevant authorities to initiate this new service.

Currently, KEM Hospital's hematology department performs approximately 800 to 900 bone marrow examinations annually for both adults and children, with all reports processed within the hospital.

Given this extensive experience, the hospital aims to expand its services by offering a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) programme specifically for adults with benign hematologic conditions.

Dr. Sangeeta Ravat, the dean of KEM Hospital, made the announcement at a recent event celebrating the successful completion of the hospital's 101st Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, which was conducted using an orthopaedic robot.

"We have applied for the necessary approvals to establish the bone marrow transplant programme," Dr. Ravat stated. "Why should such facilities be available only in private institutions? The people who come to our hospital deserve access to these services as well."

Founded in 1926, KEM Hospital is primarily funded by the Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation and provides free medical services to underprivileged communities.

However, the hospital currently lacks the financial resources needed to establish a state-of-the-art treatment programme like bone marrow transplants. Dr. Ravat has called for financial support to help realise this initiative. "We need donors to assist us. Once we secure the necessary funds, we can proceed with implementing the programme."

If the programme is established, KEM Hospital could become one of the first public hospitals in Mumbai to offer bone marrow transplants for adult patients.