British-Pakistani hematologist Dr. Sher Bahadur Anjum has achieved a remarkable medical breakthrough in the UK by successfully treating two young thalassaemia patients with advanced gene therapy.
The children, aged 11 and 13, were previously dependent on monthly blood transfusions to survive. After receiving this revolutionary treatment, they are now living healthy, transfusion-free lives, marking a turning point in their battle against the inherited blood disorder.
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Dr. Anjum, who hails from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, carried out the pioneering treatment in collaboration with Newham Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital, two of the UK’s leading medical institutions. The procedure involved months of preparation, genetic testing, and extensive counseling with the patients’ families before the therapy was administered.
“This is not just about treating two children; it’s about giving hope to millions worldwide who suffer from thalassaemia,” said Dr. Anjum while highlighting the significance of the breakthrough.
The success has drawn praise from medical experts across the globe, who believe this achievement could pave the way for wider use of gene therapy in treating blood-related genetic conditions. With thalassaemia affecting thousands of children in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, this innovation holds immense promise for the future.
For Pakistan, the achievement is also a moment of pride, showcasing the contribution of its diaspora to global medicine and healthcare advancement.
