Cost of Bone Marrow Transplant in Government Hospitals - AIIMS Hospital

A bone marrow transplant is also known as a Stem Cell Transplant and is a sophisticated procedure that infuses healthy stem cells. These are the blood-forming cells which can replace the unhealthy blood cells. 

These cells replace the bone marrow no longer producing enough healthy blood cells. The procedure ensures relief for patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and certain genetic disorders. 

The procedure in India is quickly gaining popularity due to several factors such as strong infrastructure, government initiatives and influx of international patients seeking treatment. 

In India, the procedure has come a long way. So, let’s explore the procedure and look at the different ways the cost of bone marrow transplant in government hospitals differ. 

What Is A Bone Marrow, What Does It Do? 

A bone marrow can be thought of as one of the many factories producing bulk products. Initially it produces blood cells and later becomes responsible for storing fat cells and other stem cells. 

Also known as ‘the marrow’ this is a spongy tissue inside the bones, its malfunction can lead to several issues such as bruising, fatigue and bleeding. It can also lead to severe issues such as Kostmann syndrome or Dyskeratosis congenita, among others. Such issues mainly occur due to one biological parent having the condition and symptoms. This makes it easier for the autosomal dominant issue to show up in the child. 

There’s a 50% chance that someone will develop the condition and have an increased risk of bone marrow failure syndrome. However, if both your parents have the genetic mutation for a bone marrow failure syndrome but do have the condition, your chance of developing the condition falls to 25%. 

If you develop the condition, you may need a bone marrow transplant. In India, All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS, New Delhi provides the top BMT services. 

A bone marrow transplant in government hospitals can cost anywhere below lakhs. The same treatment costs anywhere between 12 to 40 lakhs. That’s a huge range and it is mainly dependent on several factors. One of which is the donor type.

That and several other factors play an important role in the cost of bone marrow transplant. In addition, the cost of bone marrow transplant in government hospitals can be as low as 2 lakhs! 

Let’s find out more below. 

What Is A Bone Marrow Transplant And How Does The Cost Vary? 

Two of the most important factors in a bone marrow transplant are compatibility and donor type. If the donor is a sibling, the cost can be around 12 to 14 lakhs. However, if it is a half-matched donor, the cost may be around 25 to 30 lakhs.

The modern facilities along with the low price are one of the major reasons why people are choosing India as their choice for treatment. 

Government hospitals such as AIIMS provide BMT at lower costs, between 5 to 10 lakhs. That is nearly $5,721.65, which is significantly lower than the $240,000 - the cost of this treatment in the US.

This is one of the reasons why patients from all around the world prefer India as their choice of BMT. New Delhi is one of the most prestigious places for medical treatment. Facilities provide the best in class medical treatment which is powered by research and experts from several fields. 

The healthcare facilities offering BMT, come with a team of doctors who are experts in fields such as hematology and bone marrow transplant. This collaboration is known to deliver impeccable patient care with the help of its methodology and equipment. 

The bone marrow transplant is suitable in cases as follows: 

• Multiple myeloma

• Leukemia

• Aplastic anaemia

• Solid tumors 

Why is AIIMS Preferred? 

AIIMS hospital is one of the major healthcare providers that offers holistic psychological care along with nutritional support. This is crucial for effective treatment that also takes care of the 

In addition, the process at AIIMS is patient-centric and takes care of their family as well. The multidisciplinary approach here is what makes it one of the top service providers. 

In addition, the transplant has two types of donors, it is crucial in deciding the type of surgery a patient will undergo. Here are the donor types: 

I. Autologous transplants - These use the patient’s cells 

II. Allogeneic transplants - These use donor cells

Costs of Bone Marrow Transplant in India can be Affected by

There are various factors that affect the cost of bone marrow transplants, especially at government hospitals such as AIIMS. The information can also help patients and families understand how their treatment costs.

Such information helps families and patients understand how much their treatment would cost. 

Here’s a look at the different factors: 

1. Donor search and procurement: Finding an appropriate donor for allogeneic transplants is expensive and difficult. This includes HLA typing, registry fees and other related costs. 

2. Hospital Stay and Post-Transplant Care: The longer the hospital stay and more intensive the post-transplant care, the greater the total cost. Patients need to be given supportive care and monitored in a sterile setting to prevent infections from developing.
3. Pre-Transplant Work-Up: A very large number of evaluations, including lab tests, imaging studies, and tissue typing, are required before the operation. All these pre-transplant work-ups add up to the total cost.

4. Drugs: Post-transplant care is incomplete without immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics, and antifungals, which comes at the price of increased costs in the long run.

Financial Aids Provided to Patients at AIIMS

Government Schemes: In India the costs of bone marrow transplant is lower than in most countries but still, the cost can be difficult to cover for some people. So AIIMS has many financial schemes that help them cover it. AIIMS participates in different government schemes and initiatives that provide funds for major medical procedures, including BMT.

NGOs and Charitable Organizations: Many NGOs and charitable trusts provide financial aid to patients who cannot afford the cost of the treatment. Generally, these organizations work hand in hand with AIIMS to ensure patients receive important treatment without financial constraints.

AIIMS aims to provide treatment to the economically weaker sections of the country as basic healthcare is a fundamental need of every individual.