Mumbai: In a major achievement to promote affordable healthcare services in the city, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Corporation General (Sion) Hospital has expanded its bone marrow transplant (BMT) capacity to handle 80 transplant cases annually, significantly improving access to life-saving treatment for patients suffering from serious blood disorders and cancer.
The development is being viewed as a crucial advancement for Mumbai’s public healthcare system, particularly for economically weaker patients who are unable to afford expensive treatment in private hospitals, where bone marrow transplant procedures can cost anywhere between ₹10 lakh and ₹30 lakh.
Hospital authorities stated that the expansion has been made possible through the establishment of a new and upgraded pediatric bone marrow transplant unit at the hospital’s Dharavi facility. The specialised centre is expected to benefit children battling severe illnesses such as thalassemia, leukaemia, lymphoma, sickle cell disease, and aplastic anaemia.
Sion Hospital has played a pioneering role in public-sector bone marrow transplants in Mumbai since introducing the service in 2015. Over the past decade, the hospital has successfully conducted more than 100 pediatric bone marrow transplants, but rising patient demand and long waiting lists prompted authorities to expand the facility further.
Officials said the enhanced infrastructure and additional transplant beds will now allow the hospital to carry out nearly 80 procedures every year, offering advanced treatment at either minimal cost or under government-supported healthcare schemes. The initiative is expected to reduce the burden on families who often struggle financially while seeking specialised treatment for blood-related diseases.
According to doctors, bone marrow transplant is the best treatment for life-threatening diseases related to blood and immunity. However, affordable transplant centers are scarce in India. Therefore, government hospitals like Sion have become essential for critical patients.
Healthcare professionals have welcomed this decision, saying it will make quality treatment easier for everyone in Mumbai. This new facility will strengthen the city’s critical care infrastructure and reduce dependence on expensive private hospitals.
