SRINAGAR: The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has successfully performed its first Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, marking a major milestone in advanced haematology and transplant medicine in Jammu and Kashmir.
The life-saving procedure was carried out on a three-year-old child suffering from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and potentially fatal disorder caused by severe immune system dysfunction.
Addressing a press conference, Prof M. Ashraf Ganie said the achievement represents a significant advancement in the delivery of specialised healthcare services in the Union Territory. He congratulated the transplant team and called for greater public participation in stem cell donation programmes.
“Many patients suffering from life-threatening blood and immune disorders can only be cured through stem cell transplantation. Public awareness and participation in donor registries can significantly improve the chances of finding suitable donors for such patients,” he said.
The Director announced that SKIMS would actively promote stem cell donor registration and facilitate access to donor registry information through its official platforms to encourage wider community participation.
The transplant was performed by the Department of Clinical Haematology using stem cells obtained from a fully matched unrelated volunteer donor from Poland. The donor was identified through DKMS, one of the world’s largest stem cell donor registries, which waived donor procurement charges, reducing the financial burden on the patient’s family.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sajad Geelani, Dr Reshma Roshan and Dr Afaq Ahmad Khan said the transplant programme at SKIMS is being conducted in accordance with national and international standards and has produced outcomes comparable to leading transplant centres.
They described Matched Unrelated Donor transplantation as one of the most complex procedures in modern medicine, involving extensive donor-recipient matching, international coordination, specialized laboratory support and intensive clinical monitoring.
“From identifying a suitable donor through DKMS to coordinating stem cell collection and transportation across international borders, every step demanded precision, teamwork and unwavering commitment. The successful outcome reflects the expertise and dedication of the entire transplant team,” the specialists said.
The doctors noted that many patients with severe blood and immune disorders do not have a suitable family donor, making unrelated donor transplantation their only curative option. They said the successful procedure underscores the need to strengthen transplant programmes, expand stem cell donor registries and increase public awareness about donation.
The Department of Clinical Haematology expressed gratitude to the SKIMS administration, DKMS and the multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, transplant coordinators and support staff who contributed to the success of the procedure.
The child’s father thanked the medical team, saying that after consultations at several centres outside the region, he found hope at SKIMS, where doctors assured him that the disease was treatable and successfully carried out the transplant.
With the successful completion of its first Matched Unrelated Donor transplant, SKIMS has established a new treatment option for patients suffering from complex haematological and immunological disorders, further expanding access to advanced life-saving therapies within Jammu and Kashmir.
