# Delhi Doctors Offer New Hope for Sickle Cell Patients: Yashika's Journey to Recovery and Apollo Indraprastha's Success

> Yashika Patil, a 23-year-old from Bhopal, successfully overcame a decade-long battle with Sickle Cell Disease through a bone marrow transplant at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital in Delhi, showcasing the hospital's expertise in treating this genetic condition for patients from India and Africa.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Health · **Published:** 2026-06-18 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/health/delhi-ke-doktaron-ne-sikala-sela-bimari-se-di-mukti-yashika-ki-nai-zindagi-aura--1645 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Sickle Cell Disease, Bone Marrow Transplant, Yashika Patil, Apollo Indraprastha Hospital, Dr. Gaurav Kharya, Genetic Disease, Health India, Medical Success

## A Decade-Long Battle Against Sickle Cell Disease
Hailing from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 23-year-old Yashika Patil endured a childhood marked by severe illness. From the tender age of 10, she suffered from Sickle Cell Disease, a condition that severely disrupted her schooling. Yashika frequently experienced excruciating body pain, which effectively halted her normal life. She required repeated hospital admissions, yet initially, the precise nature of her illness remained undiagnosed. This challenging period continued until she was 22, when she met Dr. Gaurav Kharya at Delhi’s Apollo Indraprastha Hospital. Dr. Kharya serves as a Senior Consultant in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology, and also leads the Center for Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy.

## A Lifesaving Diagnosis and Successful Transplant
Dr. Gaurav Kharya diagnosed Yashika Patil with Sickle Cell Disease, identifying it as a severe condition treatable by a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT). This complex procedure necessitates a donor. Yashika's parents stepped forward, with her brother offering to be the donor. Following this critical support, Yashika underwent a successful bone marrow transplant. Today, Yashika is completely healthy and has emerged as a resilient fighter against her illness.

## Understanding Sickle Cell Disease: A Genetic Challenge
According to Dr. Gaurav Kharya, Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic disorder passed from parents to their children. The disease manifests when the structure and function of red blood cells in the body become abnormal. This can lead to severe consequences such as chronic anemia, recurring episodes of intense pain, damage to vital organs, an increased risk of stroke, and a reduced life expectancy. In India, the disease is predominantly found in central, western, and tribal regions, particularly in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, and Rajasthan. Approximately 13% of individuals or children in India are affected by this condition. Globally, Africa and its associated countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, and Kenya, are also significantly impacted.

## Apollo Indraprastha's Pioneering Bone Marrow Transplants
Apollo Indraprastha Hospital has successfully performed approximately 216 bone marrow transplants for Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Kharya confirmed that all these transplants have been successful. Recently, the hospital also conducted bone marrow transplants for children who traveled from Africa for treatment, including a 32-year-old woman. These cases highlight the hospital's far-reaching impact and specialized expertise.

## The Road to Full Recovery and Financial Aspects
Dr. Kharya further explained that after a bone marrow transplant, patients are monitored for a minimum of 100 days. A patient is considered fully recovered only after this monitoring period. The likelihood of Sickle Cell Disease recurring after a BMT is very low because the patient's DNA is altered, and a completely new immune system develops within the body. However, this treatment is currently not possible without a suitable donor. In India, the cost of a Sickle Cell Bone Marrow Transplant ranges approximately from 15 lakh to 50 lakh rupees. Apollo Indraprastha Hospital shared these details during a press conference, which was also attended by renowned physician Dr. Bipin Puri, who previously served as the Vice-Chancellor of King George Medical University, Lucknow.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** News of successful bone marrow transplants for Sickle Cell Disease offers significant hope for millions of Indians battling this genetic condition, especially in high-prevalence states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
- **For Affected Families:** This news presents a potential path to a permanent cure for families facing this debilitating disease, although the substantial treatment cost (₹15-50 lakh) remains a significant challenge.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What disease did Yashika Patil suffer from?
Yashika Patil suffered from a severe genetic condition called Sickle Cell Disease, which she had been battling since the age of 10.

### 2. How was Sickle Cell Disease treated?
Yashika's condition was treated through a successful Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) performed by Dr. Gaurav Kharya at Apollo Indraprastha Hospital in Delhi, with her brother serving as the donor.

### 3. What is the cost of a Sickle Cell Bone Marrow Transplant in India?
The estimated cost for a Sickle Cell Bone Marrow Transplant in India ranges from approximately 15 lakh to 50 lakh rupees.

### 4. Can Sickle Cell Disease recur after a bone marrow transplant?
According to doctors, the chances of Sickle Cell Disease recurring after a bone marrow transplant are very low because the patient's DNA and entire immune system are replaced.

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