177 bone marrow transplants performed in Malatya in one year
Stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, which plays an important role in treating blood cancer and serious blood diseases, has been performed at İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center since 2010.
Patients from various provinces of Türkiye are also treated at the 40-bed Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant Center established in the Oncology Hospital, which was opened by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2020.
The number of patients who received stem cell and bone marrow transplants at Turgut Özal Medical Center exceeded 1,500 in 12 years.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Erkurt, head of the Stem Cell and Apheresis Unit and the Tissue Typing Laboratory, told an AA reporter that they perform stem cell and bone marrow transplants with their experienced teams.
Saying they had left a successful year behind, Erkurt continued:
"In 2022 we performed bone marrow transplants on 177 patients at our center. Over the last 5 years we have been the center that performs the most bone marrow transplants among university and public hospitals. Although there was a decrease compared with 277 transplants in 2021, in 2022 we raised quality and standards and brought average mortality rates below 10 percent. This is a rate at European and US standards. Turgut Özal Medical Center is now one of the most experienced centers in bone marrow transplantation in Türkiye and the world, performing the most transplants."
Prof. Dr. Erkurt said they also treat the hereditary severe anemia known as "thalassemia major," the most severe form of Mediterranean anemia, and that they have restored 8 such patients to health through bone marrow transplants at their center.
Erkurt noted that thalassemia major patients can apply to their center for a bone marrow transplant.
Stem cells transplanted from his brother
Halit Abacı, who went to a hospital in Malatya complaining of fatigue, said he was diagnosed with blood cancer at the university hospital.
Abacı, who received stem cells from his brother, said: "I have been receiving treatment since 22 September. The stem cells taken from my brother were compatible. My health is very good right now, and God willing, I will get even better. I thank all our professors and healthcare staff who worked for me."