By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at the Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jeelani Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Gambat, marked a milestone with the successful completion of 120 bone marrow transplant operations. A special ceremony was held at the Bone Marrow Hematology Department of Gambat Hospital, in which Deputy Commissioner Khairpur Fayyaz Hussain Rahoojo, Dr. Capt. (R) Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti, Director of GIMS, and the medical team also attended.
Among the attendees was an Uzbekistani patient who had successfully undergone the transplant procedure at Gambat Hospital, highlighting the international reach of the hospital’s specialized services. The ceremony featured a symbolic cake-cutting by Deputy Commissioner Rahoojo and Dr. Bhatti, celebrating the landmark achievement.
During the event, Deputy Commissioner Rahoojo praised the hospital for providing top-tier medical services, attracting patients both domestically and from abroad. He expressed his hope for continued success and development of GIMS. Dr. Bhatti also spoke about the success of the Bone Marrow Transplant program, which has treated patients from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and beyond, with one notable success being an Afghan patient from the western border region.
The families of the patients expressed deep gratitude for the exceptional care provided by the medical team. Dr. Bhatti reflected on the emotional satisfaction derived from the families’ appreciation, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to offering the highest level of care.
The Bone Marrow Transplant team, which includes specialists such as Dr. Asghar Kerio, Dr. Shehzad Sarwar, Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Nadeem, Dr. Uzair Ahmed, and Dr. Muhammad Afzal, was acknowledged for their contributions. Dr. Kerio, who provided an overview of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, mentioned that the program, which began operations in June 2021, has treated patients from various regions of Pakistan, including Sindh, KPK, Punjab, Balochistan, and Gilgit, in addition to international patients.
The unit has achieved an impressive success rate of 75 to 80 percent, a significant accomplishment in the field of hematology and bone marrow transplantation. The program operates under the leadership of retired General Pervez Ahmed, whose guidance has been pivotal in the success of the initiative.
