In a significant milestone for Indian healthcare, doctors at FMRI, Gurugram have reported exceptional success in curing children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through bone marrow (stem cell) transplantation. A decade-long study published in Haemoglobin analysed 100 paediatric cases treated between 2015 and 2024, revealing an impressive overall survival rate of nearly 87%. Success rates were highest among matched sibling donor transplants at 96%, while half-matched (haploidentical) family donor transplants achieved a 78% success rate—figures ranking among the best globally.
The study highlights that early diagnosis and timely transplantation before complications like stroke or organ damage significantly improve long-term outcomes. Fortis achieved these results using advanced transplant protocols that reduce side effects and lower the risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD), a major post-transplant challenge.
Doctors noted that many children previously lived with chronic pain, repeated hospital admissions, and reliance on transfusions. Following successful treatment, they are now leading normal, active lives, demonstrating that India can deliver global-standard outcomes at far lower costs, expanding access for more families.
The research also reinforces that children in developing regions can achieve survival rates comparable to the world’s top centres when provided timely specialised care. With these findings, Fortis Gurugram emerges as one of the few centres worldwide to document long-term curative success in paediatric Sickle Cell Disease.
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