Exclusive bone marrow registry soon in Maharashtra

Mumbai: In a series of initiatives to improve the state’s social development parameters, the Maharashtra government and the Tata Trust have mutually agreed to improve the services related to medicine, district planning, nutritional food, education, women empowerment among others. The agreement on these initiatives was announced by the Chief Minister of the state, Mr Devendra Fadnavis and Chairman, Tata Trust, Mr Ratan Tata on March 31, 2016.

Among the initiatives related to the medical field is a plan to establish a national cancer grid, in which Maharashtra’s government and medical colleges will be included, to look at the most advanced treatment practices for cancer. Also, for the first time in the country, a bone marrow registry will be created through government instruments. These measures are expected to make major changes in the way treatment is given to the patients of blood cancer, thalassemia and other threatening diseases. In the next three years, the grid will help to identify 50,000 donors.

Mr Ratan Tata appreciated the vision of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devinder Fadnavis who responded by thanking him. “Heartfelt gratitude toRatan Tata ji for the words of appreciation and for this historic collaboration with Government of Maharashtra,” Mr Fadnavis said in his Facebook post.

In addition, a food fortification plan will be worked out to tackle the problem of malnutrition. A strategic advisory unit will be set up to provide technical assistance and manpower to the public health department and health education department. Similarly for mental illness, a hospital will be converted to the Centre of Excellence in Nagpur. It will also be the country’s first.