Wed Feb 19 16:22:34 UTC 2025: ## Odisha Performs First-Ever Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant
**Cuttack, Odisha –** In a medical milestone, a four-year-old girl in Odisha has donated stem cells to her two-year-old sister, successfully completing the state’s first allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) on such a young recipient. The transplant, performed at the SCB Medical College Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack, offers hope for children battling life-threatening blood disorders.
Two-year-old Aliza Naaz, diagnosed with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML), underwent the procedure after initial chemotherapy treatments at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Jamshedpur failed to fully eradicate the disease. A 100% HLA match with her older sister, Aatifa, made the sibling transplant possible.
The procedure, typically costing ₹15-30 lakhs privately and with lengthy wait times, was performed free of charge at the SCBMCH, a facility lauded for its pioneering role in providing free BMT services in a government hospital since 2014. The hospital’s BMT unit has successfully completed 176 such transplants in the past 11 years, boasting an 80%+ recovery rate.
The stem cell collection presented unique challenges due to Aatifa’s young age, requiring careful adjustments to the aphaeresis system. The transplant itself was completed successfully on February 7th, 2025. Post-transplant, Aliza experienced manageable infection and mucositis, and is currently stable.
Doctors involved hailed the successful BMT as a landmark achievement, opening the door for treatment of numerous childhood blood disorders, including thalassemia, sickle cell disease, aplastic anemia, and various cancers, which represent a significant socio-economic burden on the state. The free availability of this life-saving procedure at SCBMCH is expected to greatly impact the lives of many children in Odisha.
First Piper 