After numerous tales of the strife between Indian and Pakistani politicians, here is a heartwarming story about hope and healing.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Zeenia from Sahiwal in Pakistan has found a new lease of life in Bangalore’s Narayana Health City.
The two-year-old was suffering from Hemophagocytic Lympho Histiocytosis (HLH), a rare disease in which bone marrow produces some abnormal cells which eat away the normal cells.
Zeenia’s father Zia Ulla says they were puzzled initially with the child’s high fever. Soon, they learnt that her low blood counts would lead to liver and spleen enlargement. It was a potentially life-threatening disorder, doctors said the only cure for this condition was bone marrow transplant. To add to the list of worries, Zeenia was also diagnosed with partial albinism since birth.
The family decided to travel to India for treatment.
Dr Sunil Bhat, Senior Consultant and Head of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Narayana Health City hospital says: “After we diagnosed the girl was suffering from HLH, we discovered that her brother was Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match for her. But as the donor is just eight months old to collect the adequate dosage, he was required to undergo the donation process twice at a gap of only few weeks.”
The child was operated in October. In the two months since then, she has made impressive recovery. Her brother who is yet to be one year of age, is doing fine too.
“By using small marrow extraction needles and with the assistance of a team of anaesthetists and other members, we have successfully extracted enough marrow which helped cure Zeenia. Rayan has not only saved his sister, he also has the unique distinction of being the youngest marrow donor in India,” he added.
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj
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