Lucknow's KGMU to get state-of-the-art bone marrow transplant unit

Lucknow: A new state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit will soon come up at King George's Medical University.

To cost around Rs 2.75 crore, the unit is being funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from Aditya Birla Capital Foundation and CanKids.

The tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between KGMU and KidsCan in the presence of Governor Anandiben Patel on Thursday.

Located at Shatabdi Hospital, the BMT unit, likely to be completed in 6-8 months, will feature an 8-bed intensive care unit with specialised rooms equipped with HEPA filters to maintain a sterile environment, minimising infection risks.

Advanced equipment like stem cell collection machines, apheresis machines, and cytotoxic drug infusion systems will also be available. A skilled team, including haematologists, transplant surgeons, oncologists, and specialised nurses, will oversee patient care.

To ensure patient safety, the unit will implement strict hygiene measures, including isolation rooms and a fully equipped laboratory for blood and bone marrow testing, HLA typing, and health monitoring. The unit will also offer comprehensive care such as blood transfusions, pain management, nutrition support, rehabilitation, and post-transplant follow-up. Additionally, psychological counselling will be available for patients and families.

Praising the initiative, the governor said it will give a significant boost to healthcare, highlighting its focus on mothers' health as crucial to family well-being.

Prof Sonia Nityanand, vice-chancellor of KGMU, emphasised the importance of BMT in treating conditions like leukaemia and thalassemia.

She noted that Uttar Pradesh currently has only one public sector BMT programme, at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS).

The KGMU unit aims to offer more affordable transplant services, with costs estimated at Rs 5-8 lakh, compared to Rs 15-20 lakh in private hospitals, benefiting patients from Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.

Prof Nityanand, who established Uttar Pradesh's first govt BMT programme at SGPGIMS in 1999, expressed optimism about the new unit's impact.

Raj Bhawan hosts free vaccination camp

At a free cervical cancer vaccination camp at Raj Bhawan on Thursday, Governor Anandiben Patel emphasised the importance of prioritising health, particularly vaccinations, over other expenses. She urged parents to utilise free cervical cancer vaccines offered by KGMU and raised awareness about breast and cervical cancer. Governor Patel commended universities for promoting vaccination efforts in villages and rural women for their social initiatives, gifting 1,000 sarees in recognition of their contributions.