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The first two transplants of bone marrow stem cells have been performed today in the Haematology Centre after prof. R. Yeolyan in Yerevan, Armenia. The first two transplants have been performed by Professor Dr. Nicolaus Kröger, Head of Transplantation Department of Eppendorf Clinic in Hamburg, together with the transplant surgeons’ team of Yeolyan Haematology Centre led by prof. Smbat Daghbashyan.

Due to the support of the Armenian Government, Ministry of Health and “Give life” charitable foundation, two patients suffering from malignant blood disorder myeloma were able to receive contemporary treatment with the bone marrow transplantation method in Armenia.

Immediately after the surgery, professors Nicolaus Kröger and Smbat Daghbashyan informed the reporters about the procedure of the surgery.
Smbat Daghbashyan firstly noted that a new page has opened in the haematology sphere in Armenia, as the long-awaited stem cell transplantation has turned into reality.

In his words, after this surgery it can be stated that the patients who need a bone marrow transplantation no longer have to leave for abroad for that end. 

Speaking about the patients, Smbat Daghbashyan noted that the disease repeated itself in the two patients after numerous courses of chemotherapy.

“Stem cells transplantation was instructed for those patients, thus as a result of the cooperation with our German colleagues, we chose them, as it was the only way to prolong their lives,” prof. Daghbashyan said.

In his turn, Nicolaus Kröger noted that this is an innovative method used worldwide to treat malignant blood diseases, namely the leukaemia.

“In fact, the actual transplant process is not short: it can take months. Today we took the first step. Though certain complications might emerge in the process, I think everything will be possible to overcome. We have launched a close cooperation with Armenia’s haematology centre, and it will be continuous,” the professor said.

Smbat Daghbashyan added that now they can assure that the patient who applies to the Haematology Centre, will receive the same treatment as he would receive in Eppendorf Clinic in Hamburg.

To note, one of the operated patients is from Artsakh (50 years old) and the other is from Armenia (62 years old).

Professor Nicolaus Kröger today handed over certificates to the doctors who have undergone trainings in their clinic.
Dr.  Daghbashyan informed that 60 patients need bone marrow stem cell transplantation in Armenia annually with 7-10 patients possible to undergo the surgery procedure during this year.

The transplant is performed in several stages. It includes chemotherapy procedure, bone marrow stimulation, stem cells harvesting, preparation of the patients with medicine and then the actual procedure of the stem cells transplantation. This process that requires expensive substances and application of modern technologies can take up to one month.