Utkal Hospital organised a press conference to announce the expansion of its Clinical Hematology department along with the launch and strengthening of advanced Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cellular Therapy services. The initiative marks a significant milestone in making comprehensive, world-class hematology and oncology care accessible within Odisha.
The press meet was addressed by Professor Dr R.K. Jena, Director of Hematology and Cellular Therapy and Additional Director of Bone Marrow Transplant; Dr Amiya Ranjan Nayak, Consultant – Clinical Hematology, BMT and Cellular Therapy; Dr Biswajit Bhuyan, Consultant – Clinical Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant; Dr R.K. Mahapatra, DMS and Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology; Dr Chinmay Pani, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology; and Dr Sushant Paikray, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology.
The experts stated that with the expansion of the Clinical Hematology department, Utkal Hospital has successfully established first-of-its-kind comprehensive BMT and Cellular Therapy services in the state. This advancement will enable patients in Odisha to receive high-quality, evidence-based hematology-oncology treatment without the need to travel outside the state.
During the interaction, the hospital highlighted the introduction of advanced clinical hematology services, including stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplantation, and emphasised the importance of community awareness regarding blood cancers, blood disorders and modern treatment options. The speakers addressed common myths and concerns related to BMT, stem cell donation, treatment safety, costs and outcomes, while explaining how Utkal Hospital provides timely, multidisciplinary cancer care under one roof.
The discussion also focused on financial support mechanisms and funding options available for economically weaker patients, encouraging early diagnosis and timely referral for diseases requiring specialised hematology care.
Key topics covered included bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy—what they are, who needs them and how they save lives; blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma along with their modern treatment approaches; non-cancerous blood disorders like aplastic anemia, thalassemia, hemophilia and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); and recent advances in hematology-oncology including targeted therapies, advanced diagnostics, transfusion support and patient-friendly treatment pathways. The importance of a multidisciplinary team in achieving better cancer outcomes was also highlighted.
The hospital expressed confidence that this initiative will enhance public awareness about life-saving and advanced hematology treatments available in Odisha, underline the importance of early diagnosis in blood disorders and cancers, dispel myths related to stem cell donation and transplantation, and provide patients and families with accurate and reliable medical information. The speakers acknowledged the vital role of the media in spreading awareness about this important healthcare milestone.
