• Home
  • Media Events
  • Himalayan Hospital, SRHU launches BPaLM Regimen for DR-TB Treatment

Himalayan Hospital, SRHU launches BPaLM Regimen for DR-TB Treatment

Published on: June 10, 2025

Himalayan Hospital, SRHU launches BPaLM Regimen for DR-TB Treatment
In a landmark step towards combating drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), Himalayan Hospital, Jollygrant, inaugurated the rollout of the Government of India’s latest innovation under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) — the BPaLM regimen — in a significant event graced by the esteemed presence of Lieutenant General Dr. Daljit Singh. The program was hosted by Dr. Sushant Khanduri, Nodal TB Officer, along with key contributions from Dr. Varuna Jethani and Dr. Manoj Kumar. The BPaLM regimen — an all-oral, six-month treatment comprising Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin — represents a transformative shift in DR-TB management. Unlike traditional therapies which spanned 18 to 20 months with frequent hospital visits and high pill burdens, this new regimen offers a shorter, more tolerable, and highly effective alternative. With global studies showcasing over 90% treatment success rates and significantly reduced mortality and drug-related side effects, BPaLM is poised to redefine the standard of care for DR-TB patients in India. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under its commitment to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, approved the implementation of this regimen nationwide following rigorous evaluation and endorsement by the Central TB Division and Health Technology Assessment authorities. The Government of India has also initiated large-scale training programs across six national training centres to ensure healthcare professionals are fully equipped for this clinical transition. At Himalayan Hospital, the launch of BPaLM not only marks a milestone in advanced TB care but also strengthens the institution’s role as a pivotal centre in India’s fight against tuberculosis. The introduction of the BPaLM regimen at Himalayan Hospital is a testament to the collaborative synergy between national health policy and institutional execution. It reflects the Government of India’s unwavering resolve in addressing one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges with urgency, innovation, and compassion. As DR-TB continues to pose a significant burden, especially in high-incidence states like Uttarakhand, such initiatives are a beacon of hope — offering not only a cure but a path toward total TB elimination. The Himalayan Hospital administration reaffirmed its commitment to supporting patients through this new regimen with comprehensive counselling, nutritional aid, and follow-up care, in alignment with the national objective of a TB-free India.

Picture2
Picture1
   Admissions Form         

Admission Open For 2025

×
International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.