FROM PAGE 3

carried out at the hospital -- 55 autologous and five allogeneic -- with only two unsuccessful cases, according to a doctor from the unit.

NEED AND COST OF TREATMENT

Yesterday, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum inaugurated and visited the renovated unit, expressing hope that BMT services would soon resume at a relatively low cost.

Prof Abu Jafor, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services, said around 1,000 patients need BMT annually in the country.

However, health facilities in both public and private hospitals have the capacity to perform around 200 transplants annually, he said. Therefore, the BMT unit authorities have to prioritise patients, with particular emphasis on children.

Dr Kamrul Hasan, head of the Haematology Department and the BMT unit, said preparations for transplantation have begun and the service is expected to resume within two to three weeks.

He said there are five beds in total, and the unit will be able to perform 50 to 60 transplants annually.

Replying to a question, he said the cost varies depending on the type of BMT, disease, and the patient’s condition.

Autologous transplantation may cost between Tk 5 lakh and Tk 7 lakh, while allogeneic transplantation may cost Tk 12 to Tk 15 lakh, said Kamrul Hasan.

He said an autologous transplant costs around Tk 15 lakh in private hospitals, while the same procedure can cost Tk 20 lakh to Tk 1 crore in other countries. The cost of allogeneic transplantation is even higher.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Asked about the challenges to continue services, Dr Mafruha Akter, an associate professor who has been involved in 52 BMTs, said apart from financial issues, providing training to doctors and nurses is crucial.

“A multidisciplinary approach is also important, as these patients need care for other complications as well. Standardisation of the unit will also be key,” she said.

Currently, there are 16 trained nurses in the unit, said Sara Mukti Das, nurse in charge of the unit.

Prof Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, said trained doctors from Chattogram Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital will be brought to the unit.

He said the government will establish a fund for the unit, covering a portion of the transplant cost, while the remaining expenses will be borne by the patient.