Doctors Flag Shortage of Stem Cell Donors in India

 Hyderabad: Doctors have flagged an urgent need for more blood stem cell donors in India as one person is getting diagnosed with blood cancer or a severe blood disorder for every five minutes in the country.

With only 0.09 per cent of the population registered as donors, they said thousands of patients are left in critical need of stem cell transplants.

According to the DKMS BMST Foundation India, blood stem cell transplants are often the only hope for patients suffering from blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphomas, as well as severe blood disorders like thalassemia and aplastic anaemia. Against a global registry boasting over 41 million donors, India's contribution is a mere 0.6 million.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the World Blood Cancer Day, which is marked on May 28, Patrick Paul, CEO of DKMS BMST Foundation India, said someone is diagnosed with blood cancer or a severe blood disorder every five minutes in the country.

"The current donor pool is insufficient, and thousands of patients are left in critical need of matching stem cell donors. Increasing our donor database is essential to give these patients a fighting chance," he said.

A major challenge is that only about 30 per cent of patients find a compatible stem cell donor within their family, as noted by the foundation. The remaining 70 per cent must rely on unrelated donors, making the expansion of the donor registry critical.

Dr Nitin Agarwal, the head of donor request management at the foundation, said, “Many people are unaware of the simple and safe process involved in blood stem cell donation. Education and awareness are key to dispelling misconceptions and encouraging registrations.”

The process of becoming a blood stem cell donor involves registering with organisations like DKMS BMST and providing a cheek swab sample for HLA (human leukocyte antigen). This data is then added to a global database, making it available for potential matches worldwide. For the donor, the procedure is akin to a blood platelet donation, involving minimal discomfort and no long-term effects.

Recent donor drives in Hyderabad have seen participation from the local community, but the numbers are still far from adequate. An example is Liyna's campaign, which held several drives in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad hosts several medical institutions which are equipped to handle complex stem cell transplants.

Kadwin Pillai, director of Transworld Educare, said that registering as a stem cell donor can significantly enhance the prospects for many patients. "It not only saves lives but also strengthens our medical community’s ability to handle complex cases effectively.”

Kunal K., a 24-year-old blood stem cell donor said that donating blood stem cells was one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life. "The process was straightforward and caused minimal discomfort. I strongly encourage others to register as stem cell donors, it's a safe process that can significantly impact someone's life.”

"This World Blood Cancer Day, the call to action is clear — more donors are needed to provide hope and save lives. Hyderabad, with its robust medical infrastructure and compassionate community, can lead the way. By increasing awareness and encouraging more registrations, the city can significantly contribute to the global fight against blood cancer, offering hope to countless patients in India and beyond," said Dr Ravinder Naidu, consultant at an organ donation programme.