Bone Marrow Surgery Is Free In Karnataka

The Karnataka government has approved making bone marrow transplantation (BMT) free for economically weaker families under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ARK) and Jeevan Sarthakathe schemes. This landmark decision will provide life-saving treatment for severe blood disorders like bone cancer and thalassaemia, previously unaffordable for many.

Private hospitals charge Rs20–40 lakhs for BMT, while public hospitals charge Rs10–12 lakhs, making it inaccessible for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Kidwai Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s only government hospital offering free BMT, has relied on relief funds to provide treatment.

The inclusion of BMT under AB-ARK is credited to Dr. CN Manjunath, who advocated for this change. The initiative ensures that financial constraints will no longer hinder access to this critical treatment. Widely welcomed, this move reflects the government’s commitment to improving public healthcare and reducing inequalities in Karnataka.