Treatment for Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Pune: Rs 5 Lakh Per Patient on Average
Pune, 25th January 2025: The number of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases has seen a sharp rise in Pune, with 73 patients reported so far, more than half of whom are in critical condition and receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). The high cost of treatment—averaging over ₹5 lakh per patient—has made it unaffordable for many. To address this, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to provide financial assistance for the treatment of economically weaker patients.
Currently, 14 of the reported GBS patients are on ventilators, further escalating the cost of treatment. While the Maharashtra state government’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana covers up to ₹2 lakh for GBS treatment, the expenses often exceed this limit. Small hospitals charge around ₹5–6 lakh for treatment, medium-sized hospitals around ₹10 lakh, and large hospitals even more. This financial burden has led to patient families struggling to cover the remaining costs.
To bridge this gap, the PMC has announced its contribution toward treatment costs for underprivileged patients, particularly those diagnosed within the municipal limits in the last two weeks.
Two Types of GBS Treatment
GBS patients typically receive one of two treatments: plasma therapy or IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin).
Plasma Therapy: Contaminated plasma is removed from the patient’s body and replaced, costing ₹3–3.5 lakh.
IVIG Treatment: Patients are given immunoglobulin injections, with each injection costing ₹20,000–₹25,000. An average-weight patient (60 kg) requires 5–6 injections daily, pushing the total cost of IVIG treatment to ₹4–5 lakh.
Breakdown of Treatment Costs
Medicines (Plasma or IVIG): ₹3.5–4 lakh
ICU Stay (5 days): ₹50,000
Ventilator (5 days): ₹50,000
Total: ₹4.5–5 lakh
In smaller hospitals, ICU costs are around ₹10,000 per day, and ventilator support costs another ₹10,000 daily. For a 5-day ICU stay with ventilator support, the cost amounts to approximately ₹1 lakh. In medium-sized hospitals, the cost rises to ₹2 lakh, while in larger hospitals, it can exceed ₹5 lakh.
Recognizing the financial challenges faced by families, PMC Health Chief Dr. Nina Borade emphasized the corporation’s commitment to aiding patients in need. “The Municipal Commissioner has suggested financial assistance for GBS patients, particularly for those from poor families. Patients diagnosed within PMC limits in the past two weeks will benefit from this initiative,” Dr. Borade said.
