Pune: To raise awareness about thalassaemia and provide life-saving treatment opportunities for affected children, a free bone marrow cross-matching camp will be held at the District Hospital in Aundh on March 13.Organised under the state-wide campaign, “One Step Towards Thalassaemia Liberation,” the camp will offer testing and expert medical guidance to children from Pune and surrounding regions.Thalassaemia is a serious hereditary blood disorder that requires patients to undergo monthly blood transfusions and regular medical check-ups throughout their lives. Currently, a bone marrow transplant (BMT) is the only permanent cure for the condition. However, a successful transplant requires a mandatory bone marrow matching test (HLA typing) for the patient and their immediate family members.According to a statement issued by the state health department, these essential tests, which typically cost between Rs2,000 and Rs15,000 in private laboratories, depending on the complexity, will be provided free of charge at the camp. High-resolution HLA typing, often necessary for accurate matching, usually costs between Rs7,000 and Rs15,000 per sample.The cost of a full bone marrow transplant in India remains high, ranging from Rs10 lakh to Rs40 lakh, depending on whether the procedure is autologous (using the patient’s own cells) or allogeneic (using an external donor). By providing the preliminary matching tests for free, the health department aims to make the first step toward a cure accessible to all.Kailash Bawiskar, deputy director, health department, emphasised the success of the initiative. “A successful transplant can allow a child to live a life completely free of thalassemia. So far, over 90 children from Maharashtra and other states have undergone successful transplants through the Thalassemia Support Group and are now leading healthy lives. We have already conducted 12 HLA typing camps, providing free cross-matching for approximately 1,500 families.“The “One Step Towards Thalassaemia Liberation” campaign was launched on May 8, 2025, in Mumbai, spearheaded by minister of state for health Meghna Sakore-Bordikar. The initiative focuses on preventing the birth of thalassemia-affected children through counseling and screening of newly married couples and pregnant women, while simultaneously improving the quality of life for those living with thalassaemia major.
