Agartala, February 16, 2026: A major breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of thalassemia has been achieved in Bolpur, Birbhum, with the launch of a comprehensive humanitarian healthcare initiative led by renowned Mumbai-based hematologist Dr. Santanu Sen. The programme is being jointly implemented by Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute and Santiniketan Medical College & Hospital.

The initiative was formally discussed during a meeting held on February 8 at the medical college premises. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sen emphasised the need to bring advanced medical facilities closer to the common people of eastern India. He proposed the establishment of a state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit at Santiniketan Medical College, which would significantly reduce the need for patients to travel to distant cities like Mumbai for life-saving treatment.

A special thalassemia camp announced free HLA Typing and I-BMT (free bone marrow transplant) for eligible patients. While the cost of such treatment generally ranges between ₹40–45 lakh, the entire procedure will be provided completely free under this initiative. Medical experts reiterated that although regular blood transfusions offer temporary relief for Thalassemia Major patients, bone marrow transplant remains the only permanent cure.

In a significant preventive step, the college authorities announced free HPLC testing for nearly 14,000 people to identify thalassemia carriers. Health experts noted that large-scale carrier screening and awareness can play a crucial role in protecting future generations from this inherited disorder.

Dr. Sen and his associate Dr. Manam Mehera were accorded a warm welcome with traditional tribal dance and garlands. Dr. Sen lauded the college’s infrastructure and expressed willingness to visit regularly to consult patients. College President Malay Pit and Principal Dr. Ashok Kumar Dutta assured speedy development of the required infrastructure for the BMT unit.

Building on the success of the Bolpur initiative, plans are underway to organise a similar thalassemia awareness and free transplant programme in Tripura. Such integrated and free BMT services are rare in East and North-East India, making this initiative a landmark step toward setting new benchmarks in regional healthcare.

Health experts described the programme as a powerful example of how modern technology, integrated planning and social responsibility can together offer lasting solutions to complex diseases, bringing renewed hope to countless thalassemia-affected families.