The Department of Medical Oncology SKIMS, performed "The First Ever Haplo- Identical Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant" on an 8 year old male child suffering from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)". H.O.D Medical Oncology, Prof Gull Mohammad Bhat informed that it is first such transplant done in J&K. He said the child was diagnosed with AML in 2018 and received chemotherapy and was in remission till April 2019. The child had a relapse in April 2019 and was given second line chemotherapy and got second remission in September 2019. The child underwent a Haplo-identical Stem Cell Transplant in the Department on 24 October, 2019 with successful outcome having engrafted on day 16. Haplo-Transplant is a novel form of Allogenic transplant performed in few centers in India. In this case father was the donor with only 50% match, this being the only curative option left for this child.
The transplant was successful due to enormous dedication and perseverance of the entire team of Medical Oncology including Head of Department, Prof. Gull Mohammad Bhat, Faisal Guru (Pediatric Oncologist), Prof. Syed Nisar and other technical & supportive staff.
The team of doctors from the Department of Medical Oncology appreciated SKIMS Administration for the encouragement and patronage. They also hailed contribution of departments of Pathology, Microbiology, Clinical Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Pediatrics, Radio-diagnosis and other allied services for their continuous support.
Director SKIMS & Ex-Officio Secretary to Government appreciated the Department for performing the transplant successfully. All efforts are in direction to make SKIMS Centre of excellence in Oncology care and benefit cancer suffering population in this region, he added.
It is pertinent to mention that the Department of Medical Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation SKIMS was established in 1987 and has now the distinction of being the first formal Bone Marrow Transplant facility in J&K (registration no-169) the Department has conducted around 80 Autologous transplants including transplants in children.