Two-and-a-half-year-old Afghan girl undergoes bone marrow transplant in Kerala

Gulf Today Report

Two-and-a-half-year-old Kulsum, a native of Afghanistan, had a miraculous recovery due to a rare bone marrow transplant at Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut.

In the history of Kerala, this was the first successful bone marrow transplant performed on a child as young as Kulsum.

Unfortunately, Kulsum was diagnosed with congenital acute myeloid leukaemia. She had undergone 4 cycles of chemotherapy in Dubai. Her doctors suggested she undergo a bone marrow transplant as early as possible.

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Kulsum's family came to know that the bone marrow transplant treatment was available in Aster MIMS Hospital, Calicut in Kerala,

Though Kulsum's family are Afghanis, her grandparents came to the UAE decades ago for business purposes. They travelled to the UAE on a Pakistani passport as they could not travel with an Afghani passport at that time. Kulsum's father, Mohammed was born in the UAE and naturally, he too got a Pakistani passport.

Aster chairman Dr Azad Moopen advised Farhan Yasin CEO, Aster MIMS North Kerala, to enable Kulsum and her family's travel to India after handling all legal issues and carry out her treatment early as possible. On reaching Aster MIMS Calicut, Kulsum underwent intensive chemotherapy. When her symptoms subsided after her chemo, she underwent a haemopoietic stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant). Mohammed donated stem cells to his daughter.

Padmasree Dr Azad Moopen said, "It is common for foreigners to seek medical treatment in Kerala. However in this case despite such complex circumstances it is an outstanding example of the fact that Kerala's healthcare has gained global attention."