Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) has secured accreditation from the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT), one of the world’s most rigorous authorities for quality and safety in bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy.
With this achievement, RMH becomes one of only two hospitals in India to receive FACT accreditation. Moreover, it is now the only hospital in the country to hold both FACT and Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditations — a rare distinction that underscores its commitment to global standards.
Meeting the Global Gold Standard in Stem Cell Transplantation
FACT accreditation confirms compliance with internationally recognised FACT–JACIE standards, widely regarded as the global gold standard in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Unlike general hospital accreditations that primarily assess infrastructure and staffing, FACT evaluates the entire transplant ecosystem.
Specifically, it reviews donor safety, stem cell processing, clinical protocols, long-term follow-up, outcome reporting, and continuous quality improvement. As a result, the accreditation reflects not just capability, but sustained system-wide excellence.
Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to Global Benchmarks
Dr M R Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical), stated that the accreditation validates the hospital’s governance-driven, patient-centric approach and measurable clinical outcomes. He emphasised that the recognition ensures patients in India receive care aligned with the world’s best standards.
Dr Phyllis Warkentin, Chief Medical Officer at FACT, confirmed that RMH met the Foundation’s requirements and has been granted accreditation for its Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Program.
Addressing India’s Growing Blood Cancer Burden
India faces a rising burden of blood cancers and severe blood disorders. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer GLOBOCAN 2022 report, more than 120,000 new blood cancer cases are reported annually, with approximately 70,000 deaths each year. In fact, a diagnosis occurs every five minutes.
As reported by Express Healthcare, the GLOBOCAN 2022 data also highlight India’s significant thalassemia burden, for which bone marrow transplantation remains the only established curative treatment. Consequently, as transplant volumes increase nationwide, ensuring consistent quality and long-term outcomes has become a pressing public health priority.
Dr Nagendra Swamy S C, Chief Executive – Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, noted that expanding transplant capacity alone is insufficient. Instead, institutions must demonstrate proven outcomes, safety, and accountability. He affirmed that FACT accreditation embeds quality assurance into every step of the transplant programme.
Strengthening Transplant Ecosystems in Bengaluru
Bengaluru serves as a major referral hub for complex blood disorders across Karnataka and neighbouring states. At RMH, clinicians evaluate nearly 1,000 patients with blood disorders annually, of whom around 100 qualify for transplantation. However, due to donor availability, logistical challenges, and safety concerns, only 30–40 patients undergo transplants each year.
FACT accreditation helps address these barriers by reinforcing trust in clinical quality and ensuring adherence to rigorous safety standards. By closing systemic gaps, the programme strengthens reliability and patient confidence.
Dr Santosh K Devadas, HOD and Consultant, Medical Oncology and Hematology at RMH, explained that risks in stem cell transplantation often arise from system gaps rather than isolated incidents. FACT standards require programmes to eliminate such gaps through safe cell handling, proactive complication management, and continuous outcome monitoring — measures that directly enhance survival and long-term recovery.
Global Academic Collaboration Enhances Clinical Excellence
RMH also acknowledged the academic mentorship and knowledge exchange provided by the University of Illinois, under the leadership of Professor Dr Damiano Rondelli, President of the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Their guidance played a pivotal role in aligning RMH’s transplantation programme with internationally benchmarked best practices.
A Rare Distinction in India’s Transplant Landscape
FACT-accredited centres remain rare in India. RMH now stands as the only FACT-accredited centre in Bengaluru and the second in the country.
Ultimately, this accreditation strengthens the hospital’s readiness for advanced cellular therapies while reinforcing its long-term commitment to patient safety, donor protection, and sustained clinical outcomes.