BALCO Medical Centre performs Chhattisgarh’s first half-matched stem cell transplant for sickle cell anaemia

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

RAIPUR, NOVEMBER 11, 2025

BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), a state-of-the-art oncology and multi-specialty hospital in Naya Raipur, has achieved a major medical milestone by performing Chhattisgarh’s first haplo-identical (half-matched) stem cell transplant for sickle cell anaemia. This pioneering procedure marks a breakthrough in offering curative treatment to patients who previously lacked fully matched donors.

Sickle cell anaemia, one of the most prevalent inherited blood disorders in Chhattisgarh, disproportionately affects children and young adults in the state’s tribal and rural regions. Until now, bone marrow transplants (BMT) — the only curative treatment—were limited to patients with fully matched sibling donors, leaving nearly 80% of patients without access to a cure. The haplo-identical transplant technique allows parents to donate stem cells even if they are only a half-match, greatly expanding the donor pool and providing new hope for affected families.

The patient, a 16-year-old girl from Chhattisgarh, had been suffering from severe pain, anaemia, and frequent hospitalisations for years. She received healthy stem cells from her father, who was a half-match. Following the procedure, she has made a full recovery and is now symptom-free. Her latest medical reports indicate 98.6% donor chimerism, confirming that nearly all her red blood cells are now healthy donor cells — effectively curing her of sickle cell disease.

Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director, BALCO Medical Centre, said, “Sickle cell anaemia is a major public health challenge in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states. Early diagnosis, timely referral, and expert care are crucial for the success of stem cell transplants. This achievement proves that patients no longer need to travel to metro cities for advanced treatments. Our mission is to make world-class, curative care accessible and affordable to every patient, no matter where they come from.”

Dr. Dibyendu De, Consultant – Haemato-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplant at BALCO Medical Centre, who led the procedure, added, “This is a landmark accomplishment for Chhattisgarh. Haplo-identical transplantation is technically complex and requires advanced infrastructure and multidisciplinary expertise. With this success, we have demonstrated that cutting-edge treatment can be safely and effectively performed in the region, giving real hope to patients who once had no curative options.”

With this milestone, BALCO Medical Centre becomes one of the few hospitals in India to offer haplo-identical stem cell transplantation, marking a significant advancement in curative care for sickle cell anaemia in Central India.

BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), a 170-bed, state-of-the-art tertiary care oncology facility in Naya Raipur, is the first flagship initiative of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) — a non-profit organization established by Vedanta Resources and Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO).

Accredited by NABH and NABL, BMC has treated over 60,000 patients and recorded more than 3.8 lakh OPD visits since inception. Today, it stands among Central India’s most trusted healthcare institutions, offering comprehensive oncology services across medical, surgical, radiation, haematology, bone marrow transplant, and palliative care. Though based in Naya Raipur, BMC has emerged as a preferred destination for patients from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.