The Andhra Pradesh High Court sought an affidavit from the State on the absence of Bone Marrow Transplantation facilities in government hospitals after reviewing a PIL, expressing surprise that a progressive State like Andhra Pradesh still lacks such essential treatment services.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court requested an affidavit from the State regarding the lack of Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) facilities in government-run hospitals and medical colleges after reviewing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter.
The Court expressed disbelief that a progressive State like Andhra Pradesh hasn’t developed a program to provide such treatments in its governmental healthcare institutions.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Challa Gunaranjan, remarked,
“In our opinion, if the other states in the country could provide for such a treatment, we have no reason to believe that a progressive State like Andhra Pradesh does not have such a capacity or have not conceived a programme whereby such a treatment could be made available in Government run hospitals or the medical colleges.”
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The petitioner, appearing in person, discussed the burden on patients who require this expensive procedure, while Special Government Pleader S. Pranathi represented the state.
It was noted that while numerous private hospitals offer this service at a steep cost, many patients struggle to afford it.
According to G.O.Rt.No.694 from the Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department, dated November 11, 2020, Bone Marrow Transplantation was included under the previous Dr. Y.S.R. Aarogyasri Scheme, now known as Dr. N.T.R. Vaidya Seva.
The financial support for BMT is capped at Rs.11,00,000 for patients above 14 years and Rs.10,00,000 for those below. The Court heard that several patients have succumbed to their conditions due to financial inability.
The petitioner also highlighted that many neighboring states have set up government-operated BMT units that offer such services at minimal or no cost.
The Bench instructed,
“Let an affidavit be filed with regard to the issues that have been involved in the present petition.”
The Special Government Pleader representing the State indicated that the Government is considering the implementation of this specialized treatment in government-operated hospitals.
It ordered,
“Let an affidavit be filed giving the timelines within which the aforementioned procedures could be successfully undertaken with trained faculty,”
The Bench ordered that an affidavit be filed addressing the issues raised in the petition. The Special Government Pleader mentioned that the State is considering providing this specialized treatment in government hospitals.
The Court requested an affidavit detailing the timelines for implementing these procedures with adequately trained staff.
Case Title: Guntha Venkata Sai Kumar v. The State of Andhra Pradesh (Neutral Citation: WP(PIL) NO: 12 of 2026)
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