Cuttack, ( OT Webdesk) – The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Odisha’s only government-run facility offering free transplants, has been closed for the past two months due to a shortage of specialist doctors.
The last transplant procedure was performed on March 25, after which the unit ceased operations, leaving numerous patients stranded in uncertainty.
The shutdown has severely impacted 35 patients who were prepared for the life-saving transplant, while 170 others awaiting follow-up care are now facing disruptions.
The closure comes amidst a leadership void in the Haematology Department, which has remained without a professor, casting doubt on the future of specialised medical services at the hospital.
Since its establishment in April 2014, the BMT unit has successfully conducted 180 transplants, providing critical care to patients without the financial strain of private hospitals, where similar procedures cost between ₹30-40 lakh.
Medical students enrolled in the haematology program are also facing academic setbacks due to the closure, raising concerns over the unit’s ability to resume operations anytime soon.
Stakeholders, including patients, medical professionals, and policymakers, are urging immediate intervention to restore services and prevent further disruptions to life-saving treatments.
The hospital administration is yet to announce any concrete measures for reopening the unit.
