The way we perceive blood diseases today is undergoing a paradigm shift, with diseases that were thought to require lifetime treatment through continuous transfusions or frequent hospitalizations now being treated with curative intentions in some instances, as medical experts deliberated on the future of bone marrow transplants and gene therapies at an evening organised by Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram.
The event saw the participation of medical professionals who discussed more than 1,400 bone marrow transplants carried out at the hospital by its Bone Marrow Transplant Team, marking a significant milestone in treating blood diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, and others that continue to affect several thousand families across NCR.
Addressing the experts and delegates, Dr. Meet Kumar, Clinical Director & Head-Hemato-Oncology & BMT, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, said that this area has seen some revolutionary changes during the last ten years: “Treatment for a long time was all about coping. Now, the aim is to treat patients and cure their diseases. Though bone marrow transplant continues to play a major role in treatment, there is something else that can contribute to the future of our practice. This includes gene therapy and cellular treatments. We strive not only for prolonged survival but also a good quality of life”.
“Our goal is to build centres of excellence rooted in clinical expertise and driven by a ‘Patient First’ approach and patient outcomes. Performing over 1,400 bone marrow transplants is proof of the dedication and skill of Dr. Meet Kumar and his team, who have continually advanced our BMT services. When talented clinicians receive the right support and infrastructure, they create programmes that deliver not only clinical excellence but lasting, positive change for patients and their families. The success of our BMT programme shows how empowering clinicians leads to world-class healthcare,” said Dr. Raajiv Singhal, Founding Member, Group Managing Director & CEO, Marengo Asia Hospitals.
The doctors pointed out that NCR has become a center of referral for blood disorders and treatment, meaning patients arrive in NCR from other regions such as Haryana, Delhi, western UP, Rajasthan, and nearby regions to get treated for their conditions, with awareness and access to specialized treatment contributing to earlier diagnosis and improved results for numerous patients.
Harpreet Singh, Facility Director, Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, emphasized how access to better facilities would play a pivotal role in future treatment of blood diseases: “We have certainly come a long way as far as innovations in healthcare are concerned. But it would be the ability to provide the benefits of all these advances to our patients which will really matter. It is not only about technology anymore. We need to talk about awareness and affordability too”.
Although bone marrow transplant has emerged as one of the most successful ways of treating blood diseases, issues relating to lack of donors, unaffordability and awareness persist, while specialists discussed not only transplantation procedures but also gene therapy, cellular treatment, and stem cell science.
Medical experts informed that while transplantation is still an essential tool used to treat blood diseases today, new methods of gene editing as well as cell therapy are likely to open up more ways of managing them in the future, with the focus shifting from managing illness to achieving a long-term cure.
