Nawaloka Hospitals PLC in Colombo 02, has a special unit called the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU). This unit treats patients who have blood cancers and blood disorders, such as Thalassemia, and require a bone marrow or stem cell transplant as part of their successful treatment.
The BMTU has been operating since September 2014 and uses the latest technology and facilities to provide comprehensive services for bone marrow transplantation.
The BMTU has a team of highly skilled and experienced healthcare professionals, who have received training specifically for bone marrow transplants. They work closely with the patient’s primary care consultant and other specialists to create a personalized treatment plan.
The BMTU has 3 separate ICU rooms each equipped with advanced air filtration systems called HEPA-filters to maintain high air quality to minimize the risk of infection.
There are two types of bone marrow transplants:
Autologous transplant means that the patient’s own bone marrow stem cells are collected, processed, and then put back into their body after they have received chemotherapy to get rid of any diseased cells.
Allogeneic transplant means that the bone marrow stem cells come from a donor who is a close match genetically. It could be a sibling or another close relative. Sometimes, an unrelated donor can also be used.
The BMTU multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals includes:
Hemato-Oncologists – Specialist doctors who treat patients with blood disorders and blood-related cancers. This team has received specialized training in the UK, particularly in the field of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and as a result, they possess extensive experience in managing patients with major complications.
Pediatric Oncologist – is a specialist doctor who treats children with disorders and cancers in their blood.
Transfusion Physician – A Transfusion Physician is a specialist doctor who is an expert in giving and managing blood transfusions. They make sure that when a patient needs blood from a donor, it’s done according to strict safety guidelines.
Intensivist – is a specialist doctor who takes care of very sick adult patients in the hospital, especially those in the intensive care unit (ICU). They are experts at treating patients with severe illnesses or complications and making sure they get the best care to recover.
Pediatric Intensivist – is a specialist doctor who takes care of very sick children in the Bone marrow unit. They are well experienced on treating children who are in very serious conditions and need ICU care and special treatments to get better.
The Bone marrow unit also has a specially trained nursing staff and supporting staff that provide excellent care for BMT patients. They follow strict safety and infection prevention procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients.
The BMTU not only focuses on the medical aspect of transplantation but also provides guidance and emotional support by the multidisciplinary healthcare consultant team to patients and their families. They understand the challenges that come with the treatment and recovery process and are there to help.
The Nawaloka Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is the leading centre in Sri Lanka for bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. With their dedicated team, advanced facilities, and commitment to providing the best care, Nawaloka BMT unit is making a positive impact on the lives of many people with blood cancer and other blood disorders.
