First bone marrow transplant for haemoglobinopathy done in city

Nagpur: An allogenic bone marrow transplant was performed on a child at New Era Mother and Childcare Hospital.
According to doctors, this marks a breakthrough in the treatment of genetic disorders affecting the production or structure of haemoglobin.
Cardiac surgeon Dr Anand Sancheti, director of New Era Group, said a dedicated team achieved this milestone under the expert guidance of Dr Atish Bakane, senior consultant and head of paediatric haematology-oncology and BMT.
“The procedure involved replacing the defective cells responsible for haemoglobinopathy with healthy hematopoietic stem cells obtained from a compatible donor which were transplanted into the patient’s bone marrow,” he said.
Prior to this, Nagpur had witnessed autologous transplants in several hospitals. Autologous transplants involve using the patient’s stem cells for transplantation. However, this achievement is city's first successful allogenic BMT, where healthy haematopoietic stem cells from a compatible donor were utilized.
“This shows our ability to combat genetic disorders. It brings new possibilities for treating haemoglobin disorders and further strengthens Nagpur’s position as a hub for cutting-edge medical interventions,” added Dr Bakane.
The patient, whose identity was not disclosed, was discharged in a stable condition. Close monitoring and comprehensive post-BMT care will be provided to ensure the patient’s well-being and to assess the long-term effectiveness of the transplant in addressing haemoglobinopathy.
Dr Anand Bhutada, director of the hospital, lauded the selfless donors and their families for making this life-saving procedure possible.
“This BMT brings hope to patients and their families who have been grappling with the challenges posed by haemoglobin disorders. The success of this transplant sets a precedent for future advancements in the field of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and paves the way for further research and exploration,” he said.