Lucknow: In a significant advancement for cancer care in Uttar Pradesh, the Haematology Department of King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, inaugurated a new state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit. The facility has been established with a generous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grant of ₹3.15 crore from Aditya Birla Capital, marking a major step toward accessible and affordable treatment for blood cancers and genetic blood disorders.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand highlighted the importance of the new unit, emphasizing that it will significantly improve access to life-saving treatments, especially for women and children, who often face financial barriers. She noted that all eligible patients under government health schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, will receive treatment free of cost, ensuring equitable access to advanced care.
During the event, KGMU also signed an MoU for a ₹3.03 crore expansion project to construct seven additional HEPA-filtered rooms, further strengthening the institution’s capacity to treat patients with conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, and aplastic anemia. A special acknowledgment was extended to philanthropists, especially Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre, for her unwavering support. She expressed that this initiative will particularly benefit underserved women and children who struggle due to the high cost of treatment.
Esteemed guest Poonam Bagai, colon cancer survivor, philanthropist, and founder of Cankids Kidscan, shared insights on collaborative efforts between NGOs, hospitals, and state governments to enhance childhood cancer care across India. She reiterated the mission of achieving 100% financial support for childhood cancer by 2030, stressing the need for evidence-based research and patient-centered advocacy.
Minister of State Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh commended KGMU’s extensive outreach, noting its remarkable annual patient load of 45 crore OPD visits, 15 crore IPD admissions, 45 lakh minor surgeries, and 8 lakh major surgeries, serving patients not only from Uttar Pradesh but also from neighboring regions including Madhya Pradesh, Nepal, and Delhi. He also acknowledged the university’s success in reducing encephalitis-related deaths to zero.
Deputy Chief Minister & Cabinet Minister of Medical Education Brajesh Pathak congratulated the university, assuring that the government will continue to provide immediate support whenever required to strengthen healthcare services.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel emphasized the importance of supporting poor patients and strengthening training for staff nurses involved in specialized care units like BMT. She highlighted the commitment to ensuring affordable, no-profit treatment models, with seamless coordination between the university and government bodies to ensure smooth functioning and sustained funding.
Next Steps Announced
- Commencement of operations in the new BMT unit.
- Execution of the expansion plan for seven additional HEPA-filtered transplant rooms.
- Establishment of streamlined procedures to help patients avail free treatment under Ayushman Bharat and other government schemes.
- Launch of a public awareness campaign to inform communities about the availability of affordable BMT services.
- Strengthened coordination with government bodies for operational and financial support.
With this initiative, KGMU continues to reaffirm its commitment to providing world-class, equitable healthcare to the people of Uttar Pradesh and beyond, setting new benchmarks in hematology and transplant medicine.
