In a landmark medical achievement, the Department of Hematology & Stem Cell Transplantation at Army Hospital R&R has achieved a historic breakthrough by successfully performing a life-saving Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) for a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder.
Master Sushant Paudel, the son of Sepoy Pradip Paudel, faced the daunting challenges of ARPC1b, a highly uncommon immunodeficiency that jeopardized his immune system, making him susceptible to life-threatening infections.He was referred to Army Hospital (R&R) at Delhi Cantt six months ago without a suitable donor. Despite the absence of an HLA-matched sibling donor, the Hematology team tirelessly worked to identify a Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD). On November 30, 2023, the ground-breaking transplant took place, involving the extraction of healthy stem cells from a voluntary unrelated donor. These cells were then infused into Sushant’s bloodstream after eliminating his defective cells through intense chemotherapy.Commandant Lt Gen Ajith Nilakantan expressed immense pride, emphasizing the collaborative effort that led to this success. Brig Rajan Kapoor, HOD at the Hematology department, highlighted Sushant Paudel’s miraculous journey as a testament to teamwork, family support, and the donor’s generosity—an unprecedented accomplishment for this immunodeficiency in India.
Pediatric Hematologist Lt Col Sanjeev Khera acknowledged the high-risk nature of the transplant due to active infections but expressed gratitude for the family’s support.This triumph not only offers renewed hope to Sushant and his family but also stands as a beacon of hope for those battling rare immunodeficiencies. Army Hospital R&R’s commitment to pioneering medical research and enhancing treatment options for rare diseases underscores their dedication to improving the lives of affected children and families.