In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack have successfully performed Odisha’s first pediatric allogenic bone marrow transplant. This life-saving procedure has given a new chance at life to two-year-old Aliza Naaz, who was battling an aggressive form of blood cancer—Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
A Sister’s Lifesaving Gift
Aliza’s best hope for survival came from an unexpected hero—her four-year-old sister, Aatifa Naaz. Since the procedure required a compatible donor, doctors harvested stem cells from Aatifa, making her the key to saving her younger sibling’s life. The successful transplant not only brought hope to Aliza’s family but also marked a major milestone in cancer treatment within Odisha.
The Long Road to Treatment
Aliza was first diagnosed with AML in July 2024 at Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Jamshedpur. Despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy, her condition remained critical. Doctors recommended a bone marrow transplant as her only chance of survival.
However, the journey to treatment was far from easy. Tata Memorial Hospital was unable to provide the procedure, and private hospitals demanded an unaffordable fee of around ₹30 lakh. Facing financial and emotional turmoil, Aliza’s parents searched for a lifeline—and they found it at SCBMCH, where the hospital’s bone marrow transplant unit offers free treatment.
A Team Effort to Save a Life
On January 7, Aliza was admitted to SCBMCH, where a dedicated team of specialists, led by Chief Physician Professor RK Jena, took charge of her case. The team worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the transplant, ultimately making medical history in Odisha.
This remarkable achievement not only saved Aliza’s life but also paved the way for future pediatric bone marrow transplants in the state, offering hope to countless other children facing similar life-threatening conditions.
