Karnataka to offer free bone marrow transplants under AB-ARK scheme

In a landmark decision, the Karnataka government has announced to make bone marrow transplantation (BMT) free of cost at enlisted hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ARK) and Jeevan Sarthakathe schemes. 

This initiative aims for better access to advanced healthcare for economically disadvantaged families, offering relief to patients battling severe blood disorders like bone cancer, thalassaemia, and aplastic anaemia. 

What are bone marrow transplants? 

Bone marrow transplantation is the procedure of placing unhealthy bone marrow with healthy stem cells. It is a critical procedure for many haematological disorders like to treat certain cancers, blood disorders, and autoimmune diseases, crippling families Below Poverty Line (BPL) financially. Private hospitals charge between 20 to 40 lakh rupees for the procedure, and public hospitals around 10 to 12 lakh rupees.  

Since the AB-ARK scheme previously did not include these procedures, Kidwai Hospital in Bangalore provided these procedures free of cost to patients by utilising the prime minister’s Relief Fund, the chief minister’s Relief Fund, SCP/TSP scheme, ESI, and CGHS schemes. 

On Sunday, Dr C.N. Manjunath, former director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and now an MP from Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency, welcomed the state government’s decision to include free bone marrow transplantation under the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK). 

He thanked chief minister Siddaramaiah, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and principal health secretary Harsha Gupta and the health department for accepting the request he made in October about including the procedure under the AB-ARK scheme. 

“This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable. It will save countless lives and reduce the financial burden on families,” Dr Manjunath wrote in a post on X. 

“Bone marrow transplantation is required for patients suffering from bone cancer, thalassemia, aplastic anaemia, and other haematological-related disorders. Currently, this particular procedure costs about Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh in private hospitals and about Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh in public hospitals,” he said in a statement on social media platform X.  He had persistently pursued the inclusion of BMT as a coded procedure under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme. 

“This move is a game-changer for patients who could not afford this life-saving procedure. It ensures that those in the BPL category, who are most in need, can access advanced treatment without worrying about costs,” he added. 

In October 2024, the MP wrote to the State government to include bone marrow transplantation under AB-ArK and Jeevan Sarthakathe schemes since transplantation of heart, lung, liver, and kidney are already included.

“On an average, about 75 to 100 patients suffering from bone cancer, thalassemia, aplastic anaemia and other related haematological disorders require bone marrow transplantation in Karnataka,” he had said in the letter. Dr. Manjunath had pointed out that similar arrangements were available in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 

He wrote that now with bone marrow transplantation being included as a coded procedure, it will be done free of cost in empanelled hospitals. “It is a great boon for patients in the BPL category who will immensely benefit by this initiative.”

The full list of empanelled hospitals where the procedure will be available and other details are awaited alongside the official order.