Life-saving bone marrow transplants that cost up to ₹40 lakh in private hospitals will be free at state-empanelled facilities as soon as an order is issued to this effect. In-principle approval by the Karnataka cabinet brings new hope to those battling bone cancer, thalassaemia, and aplastic anaemia.
Published Jan 19, 2025 | 11:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 20, 2025 | 1:33 PM
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao & Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
In a landmark decision, the Karnataka government has given in-principle approval to make bone marrow transplantation (BMT) free of cost at empanelled hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ARK) and Jeevan Sarthakathe schemes.
This initiative redefines access to advanced healthcare for economically disadvantaged families, marking a significant milestone in public healthcare and offering much-needed relief to patients battling severe blood disorders like bone cancer, thalassaemia, and aplastic anaemia.
The cabinet has agreed to this decision in principle, and the government will likely issue an order on Monday, 20 January.
Bone marrow transplantation, a critical procedure for several haematological disorders, often cripples families financially. Private hospitals charge between ₹20 to ₹40 lakhs for the procedure, whilst even public hospitals charge around ₹10 to ₹12 lakhs. These figures remain insurmountable for families in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
However, Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru has been providing it free of cost for BPL card holders. The hospital’s BMT unit, one of the largest in India, houses 14 beds and an intensive care unit (ICU). It remains Karnataka’s only autonomous government hospital offering free BMT services.
As the AB-ARK scheme previously did not include these procedures, Kidwai Hospital provided these life-saving procedures free of cost to patients by utilising the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, SCP/TSP scheme, ESI, and CGHS schemes.
Bone Marrow transplantation now at Free of cost under Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka Scheme.
I had requested and was continuously pursuing with the State Government through its Principal Secretary for Health and Family Welfare Department to include Bone marrow transplantation… pic.twitter.com/VgMtNEw7Dj
— Dr.C.N.Manjunath (@DrCNManjunath) January 19, 2025
Dr CN Manjunath, former Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and now the Member of Parliament from Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency, thanked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Principal Secretary of Health Harsha Gupta and the health department for accepting the request he made in October about including the procedure under the AB-ARK scheme.
“This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable. It will save countless lives and reduce the financial burden on families,” Dr Manjunath wrote in a post on X.
He had persistently pursued the inclusion of BMT as a coded procedure under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme.
“This move is a game-changer for patients who could not afford this life-saving procedure. It ensures that those in the BPL category, who are most in need, can access advanced treatment without worrying about costs,” he added.
Bone marrow transplantation often serves as the last hope for patients with blood disorders, as it helps replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells. Without this treatment, conditions like bone cancer and aplastic anaemia often prove fatal. By covering the procedure under the state’s flagship healthcare schemes, Karnataka has ensured that no patient will face denial of treatment due to financial constraints.
Healthcare advocates and families have widely welcomed the announcement. For patients who have struggled to afford treatment, this initiative offers a lifeline. Families no longer need to sell assets or take out loans to fund medical care.
The inclusion of bone marrow transplantation in the scheme forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen its public healthcare system and expand access to specialised treatments. It also marks a step forward in reducing health inequalities in the state.
Karnataka’s decision to include BMT in its healthcare schemes could serve as a model for other states in India. With rising costs of specialised medical treatments, state-sponsored initiatives like this one prove vital in ensuring universal healthcare.
When South First contacted the health department, Harsha Gupta confirmed that the cabinet had given in-principle approval to include BMT under the AB-ARK scheme and will issue an official order in the next two days.
“It is approved in principle but a formal order will be issued by tomorrow or day after tomorrow,” he stated.
The full list of empanelled hospitals where the procedure will be available and other details are awaited alongside the official order.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
