Kerala's health sector is witnessing a new achievement in Bone Marrow transplant treatment. About 112 donors has registered in Bone Marrow Donor Registry, the first government sector initiative in the field. The Bone Marrow Donor Registry project was started at Malabar Cancer Centre with the objective of reducing the cost of treatment significantly and increasing the availability of compatible stem cells. A bone marrow transplant is a very effective treatment for people having leukaemia. It is very expensive and there are many challenges to avail the suitable stem cells. The country has only 6 bonmaro registries in the non-government sector. It currently costs over Rs 8 lakh for a patient to get a matching stem cell. On this backdrop the Blood and Marrow Stem cell Donor Registry project was developed and implemented at the Malabar Cancer centre.

To find the 112 donors   within a short timespan after the registry at the Malabar Cancer centre became operational is a great achievement for the health sector of Kerala. This is benefitted for the people who are waiting for bone marrow transplant treatment. The registry will help to significantly reduce the cost of treatment of blood borne diseases. Development of software for registry is in progress through eHealth Kerala. Also, efforts are underway to link the registry with the World Marrow Donor Association.

About 160 bone marrow transplants have been successfully completed at the Malabar Cancer Centre.  Malabar Cancer Center conducts various awareness programs in collaboration with blood donor associations to find suitable donors. Voluntary organizations are coming forward with the effective cooperation and services. Government attaches great importance to the development of Malabar Cancer Centre. Malabar Cancer Center was announced as Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research. In order to upgrade MCC as a Post Graduate Institute, projects of Rs 80 crores in the first phase and Rs 398 crores in the second phase have been sanctioned exclusively for construction works through KIIFB. The construction work of the first phase is nearing completion.