Kozhikode: A two-year-old Pakistani baby, who was judged by doctors to have little chance of survival no matter where he is taken in the world, was reborn at Aster Mims in Kozhikode. A 2-year-old boy from Pakistan, suffering from a rare and severe blood-borne disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, was brought back to life after a rare bone marrow transplant at Aster Mims, Kozhikode. After unsuccessfully seeking treatment including in the UAE, they came to Kerala and got their lives back after undergoing a bone marrow transplant at Aster Mims in Kozhikode. Hon. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shri. V. Muralidharan’s support and guidance helped speed up the Pakistani native’s travel and medical arrangements. This is the 75th bone marrow transplant performed at Aster Mims, Kozhikode in two years.
Saif Jalal, the son of Jalal and Saduri, a native of Pakistan’s Balochistan, underwent a bone marrow transplant. After the diagnosis of the disease, he moved to the UAE where his father works for better treatment, and the treatment continued there. Although he underwent treatments including chemotherapy, the baby’s condition worsened. The baby, whose immune system was completely destroyed, was plagued by constant infections. The infection worsened, including in the lungs, and the oxygen level became very poor. The common fate of these infected babies is to die within two to three years unless the most definitive treatment is available. This is how Jalal’s situation was going forward.
It was at this stage that Jalal and Saduri decided to come to Kerala after hearing about the treatment at Aster Mims from those who had recovered from treatment here. Union Minister Shri. V. Muralidharan and others have made sincere efforts.
Saif Jalal reached Kerala with oxygen support. The situation was very serious. Aster Mims Senior Pediatric Hematologist Dr. Kesavan arrived. Fortunately, the mother’s marrow would have been compatible with the baby. After other health issues were overcome with constant care, the baby underwent a bone marrow transplant. It has now been 2 months. Saif Jalal came back to life after surviving respiratory problems and low oxygen levels. Saif Jalal’s family is now preparing to go back to Pakistan and meet his relatives.
During a period of two years, 75 bone marrow transplants were completed at Aster Mims, Kozhikode. Kesavan said. Aster Mims, Kozhikode performs this costly procedure at minimal cost. Moreover, Aster Mims is able to maintain the highest rate of treatment success in the country” Mr. Farhan Yasin said.
In the press conference Mr. Farhan Yasin (Regional Director, Aster Kerala & Oman), Dr. Suresh Kumar E. K (Head, Paediatrics) Dr. Keshavan R (Senior Consultant, Pediatric Haematologist), Dr. Sudeep V (Consultant Haematologist), Dr. K. V. Gangadharan (Director, Oncology), Shri. Jalal (Father of Saif Jalal), Shri. Lukman Ponmadath (COO, Aster Mims) also participated.