Bhubaneswar: In a significant medical achievement, the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack, has successfully performed the first-ever pediatric allogenic bone marrow transplant in Odisha.
This pioneering procedure has given a new lease of life to a two-year-old girl, Aliza Naaz, who was diagnosed with high-risk Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), a severe and aggressive form of blood cancer.
The complex transplant procedure involved harvesting stem cells from Aliza’s four-year-old sister, Aatifa Naaz, who served as the donor. The successful transplant has not only saved Aliza’s life but has also marked a significant milestone in the field of oncology treatment in Odisha.
Aliza was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Jamshedpur in July 2024. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy, her condition remained critical, prompting doctors to recommend a bone marrow transplant as her only hope for survival.
However, with Tata Memorial Hospital unable to provide the treatment and private hospitals quoting exorbitant fees of around Rs 30 lakh, Aliza’s parents were faced with a daunting challenge. In a desperate search for an affordable solution, they turned to the bone marrow unit at SCB Medical College and Hospital, which offered a beacon of hope with its reputation for providing free treatment.
On January 7, Aliza was admitted to SCB. A specialized Bone Marrow Transplant team was swiftly constituted under the leadership of Chief Physician Professor RK Jena. The doctors’ team lent their expertise to ensure the success of the procedure and made it a success.
