Azerbaijan has launched a major step forward in hematology and cancer care with the opening of a new Bone Marrow Transplant Center at Yeni Klinika, designed to dramatically expand domestic access to life-saving treatments that many patients previously had to seek abroad.
During a media tour, Sevill Jalilova, head of the Center for Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, said the new facility meets modern international standards and will operate with a multidisciplinary medical team experienced in advanced onco-hematological treatment protocols.
The center is equipped to perform both autologous and allogeneic transplants for adults and children and includes 22 specialized beds with full isolation capabilities. Treatment will follow globally recognized protocols for leukemia, thalassemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other critical conditions.
“This center creates high-quality, integrated conditions for patients and significantly reduces the country’s dependence on foreign medical services,” Jalilova said. She noted that the facility is outfitted with HEPA-filtered airflow systems, modern sterilization standards, and expanded infection-control infrastructure.
150 Transplants Planned in the First Year
Executive Director of TABIB, Vugar Gurbanov, announced that the center plans to perform at least 150 bone marrow transplants in its first year, with an emphasis on pediatric cases.
He added that the number of operations will increase in subsequent years as the center expands capacity:
“Many children in Azerbaijan require bone marrow transplantation, and providing these services inside the country is a strategic medical priority.”
Foreign Donor Banks to Be Used Starting Next Year
Gurbanov also confirmed that Azerbaijan will begin using international donor databases for bone marrow matches starting next year – a major technological and clinical advancement.
Negotiations with international donor registries are already underway, and laboratory facilities at Yeni Klinika have begun conducting compatibility testing.
“By mid-next year, we expect the first transplants using foreign donors,” he said.
Long-Awaited Capacity After Years of Patient Outflow
Director of Yeni Klinika, Barat Yusubov, noted that 150-200 Azerbaijani patients each year require bone marrow transplantation, and a significant share of this need has been met abroad due to previous limitations in funding and specialized staff.
“The new center closes a major gap. Patients will no longer have to travel to other countries for treatment,” Yusubov said, adding that the launch became possible after years of planning and investment in medical infrastructure.
