The hospital has expanded its BMT services with a new 26-bed advanced facility at the Loknete Eknathrao Gaikwad Urban Health Centre in Dharavi. The upgraded centre includes five dedicated bone marrow transplant beds, a high-risk unit, and a day-care facility.
Developed with support from the Veha Foundation, the facility has been designed as per international medical standards and is expected to significantly strengthen Mumbai’s public healthcare system.
Major Increase in Treatment Capacity
With this expansion, Sion Hospital’s annual bone marrow transplant capacity is expected to rise from around 20 procedures to nearly 80. The facility will benefit patients suffering from severe conditions such as thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, leukemia, and aplastic anaemia.
Officials said the expansion will be especially helpful for economically weaker patients who cannot afford expensive treatment in private hospitals, making life-saving care more accessible.
The new centre was inaugurated on May 8 on the occasion of World Thalassemia Day by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Rajesh Tawde, in the presence of Public Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandirge.
The project also received technical support from the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre. Dr. Navin Khattry, Professor of Medical Oncology and Deputy Director of the Clinical Research Centre at ACTREC, along with his team, provided guidance for setting up the facility.
The Veha Foundation has funded the establishment of the centre and has also committed financial support for its operations over the next 10 years, ensuring continued affordable treatment for patients.
The BMT services will be led under the guidance of Dr. Radha Gulati Ghildiyal, Head of the Paediatric Department, along with Dr. Sujata Sharma and Dr. Purvi Kutty.
Hospital authorities stated that the collaboration between LTMGH, ACTREC, and the Veha Foundation will help make Sion Hospital a leading centre for advanced blood disorder treatment in the public healthcare system.
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