First public sector bone marrow transplantation center has been established here at the Children Hospital Lahore at a cost of Rs 260 million. Installation of medical equipment is under way and the center would start functioning within two months while doctors have selected first five patients for bone marrow operations.
Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education, Khawaja Salman Rafique revealed this after presiding over a meeting to review the arrangements for operationalizing the bone marrow transplantation, here on Saturday. Besides, Dean Institute of Child Health and Children Hospital, Professor Dr Masood Sadiq, Medical Director Professor Ahsan Waheed Rathore, Project Director bone marrow transplantation center, Dr Tahir Shamsi were also present on the occasion. Rafique said that initially 30 bone marrow transplantation operations would be carried out annually. This facility would be provided to the poor and deserving patients free of cost. In private sector one bone marrow operation costs Rs 3 million, he added. Professor Ahsan Rathore said the center comprises 60 beds where medical treatment and surgical facilities would be provided to the patients suffering from cancer, haematology and bone marrow disorders. Professor Masood Sadiq briefed the meeting that training of doctors, nurses and other staff has been completed. Doctors and staff were sent abroad as well as institute of blood diseases, Karachi for training on the subject.