Dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant Wing to Be Established Soon at SRMS Medical College
Bareilly: In a landmark achievement for healthcare in northern India, Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS Medical College), Bareilly, has successfully conducted the first Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) in the Rohilkhand and Kumaon region. The breakthrough procedure has provided a new lease of life to a 47-year-old woman from Banbasa, Uttarakhand, who had been suffering from Multiple Myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for more than a year.
The successful transplant makes SRMS Medical College the first institution between Lucknow and Delhi to offer this advanced life-saving treatment. The achievement was announced during a press conference held at the institute on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dev Murti, Founder and Chairman of SRMS Trust, highlighted the institution’s journey since its establishment in 2002 and emphasized the importance of introducing advanced medical facilities to address the growing burden of serious diseases. He said that the successful completion of the first bone marrow transplant marks a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare. Four additional patients have already registered for bone marrow transplantation, and a dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant Wing will soon be established to expand access to this specialized treatment.
Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Director of the RR Cancer Institute at SRMS Medical College, described cancer as a modern epidemic and stressed that the same globally accepted treatment modalities—radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy—available in cities such as New York and Mumbai are now accessible at SRMS. He noted that the institute is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a comprehensive team of cancer specialists.
The patient, identified as Kamla (name changed), had been experiencing severe back pain for over a year. Investigations revealed that she was suffering from Multiple Myeloma. Doctors first treated her with targeted therapy and chemotherapy, successfully bringing the cancer under control. To reduce the risk of recurrence, specialists recommended an Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant, a procedure in which the patient’s own healthy stem cells are harvested and transplanted back into the body.
The transplant was successfully performed on May 19, and Kamla has now recovered well. Doctors expect to discharge her shortly.
Dr. Agrawal also announced that SRMS Medical College will soon begin offering bone marrow transplant services for patients suffering from thalassemia, further broadening the scope of advanced hematological care in the region.
Providing details about the procedure, Clinical Hematologist Dr. Disha Satya explained that bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside bones where stem cells are produced. These stem cells generate red and white blood cells essential for the body’s functioning. Bone marrow transplantation, also known as stem cell transplantation, involves replacing damaged marrow with healthy stem cells either from the patient or a compatible donor. The procedure is widely used in the treatment of blood cancers, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia.
She further explained that two main types of transplants are performed: Autologous Transplants, which use the patient’s own stem cells, and Allogeneic Transplants, which use stem cells from a donor.
Medical Oncologist Dr. Srinivas Anadi Naidu noted that Multiple Myeloma affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to weakened bones, reduced immunity, anemia, fatigue, and severe skeletal pain. While the disease may not always be curable, modern treatments including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation can effectively control it and significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
The press conference was conducted by Aditya Murti, Director of SRMS Medical College, and attended by Air Marshal (Retd.) Dr. M.S. Butola, Principal of SRMS Medical College, Dr. R.P. Singh, Medical Superintendent, members of the cancer care team, and the bone marrow transplant unit.
The achievement marks a major advancement in cancer care and specialized hematology services for patients across Rohilkhand, Kumaon, and adjoining regions, reducing the need to travel to metropolitan centers for advanced treatment.
