‘Stem cell transplant is in its nascent stage in India’

Dr Maheboob M Basade, consultant medical oncologist and stem cell transplantation specialist, Jaslok Hospital discusses the status of stem cell transplant in India and suggests ways to improve the current situation in an interview with Shardul Nautiyal

What is the status of stem cell transplant in India and abroad?

Stem cell transplant is in developing stage in India with only seven centres having the facility of conducting stem cell transplant. These centres perform both allogenic and autologous transplants. Majority of the centres perform one case per month of allogeneic transplant, which reflects the tremendous shortfall in the facilities available. For instance, we do not have the facilities to meet the needs of the populace which suffers from thalassaemia major.

The picture is dismal in SAARC countries with only Pakistan having the facility of stem cell transplant. Nepal, Bangladesh, Dubai have no facility. Oman conducts allogenic transplants only.

How costly is the treatment?

Jaslok Hospital has been offering stem cell transplant at a cost ranging from Rs 3.5 lakh onwards depending upon the disease and the type of transplantation. This is very low in comparison with the US and the UK, where stem cell transplant costs around Rs 50 lakh. We have been registering foreign patients mainly from the Middle-East.

Can you brief me about the development of bone marrow tranplant facilities in India.

First allogeneic bone marrow transplantation was performed in 1983 at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Since then, this hospital has performed more than 200 transplants. CMC, vellore, AIIMS, New Delhi, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, Command Hospital, New Delhi, Inlakhs Hospital, Pune and Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad are the other centres which are performing both autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplants.

Jaslok Hospital has performed around 58 transplants mostly in leukemia, myeloma, lymphomas and aplastic anemeia. Country’s first and successful transplant for sickle cell disease was performed at Jaslok Hospital on a young Omani boy two years back.

What efforts have been made to improve stem cell transplant?

We had stem cell transplant meet of India on 23rd January, 2005, which was the second in the series of meet of haematologists and oncologists from across the country. There was a participation of over 30 stem cell transplant experts, with representation from Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Banglore and Kolkata.

We are planning to devise more programmes and are planning to spread awareness among the medical fraternity related to stem cell transplants. A separate chapter under banner of Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology has been recently formed with the aim of creating a platform for the haemato-oncologists to share and develop the knowledge of stem cell transplant in India.

What should be the ideal role of the government in addressing this issue?

The government should waive off duties and taxes for equipment and drugs required for stem cell transplant in India. Government should provide good insurance facilities and should incorporate stem cell transplant treatment under the state government health scheme so that the specialty can be made popular.

What are the infrastructural and financial issues involved?

Stem cell transplant program can be done where facilities for such programs like trained Oncologists, nursing staff and high-tech blood bank with facility for irradiation of blood and blood products are available. The other cost will be that of a cell separator, which will cost around Rs 20 lakh. The speciality is labour intensive.