A five-year-old Thai boy, Sila "Jio" Boonklomjit, is the first person with Covid-19 to undergo a successful stem cell transplant, reported Bangkok Post.

According to Bangkok Post, Jio donated his bone marrow stem in April to save his sister Jean, who was born with a blood disorder called thalassemia, Ramathibodi Hospital in Thailand announced.

Associate Professor Usanarat Anurathapan, who carried out the transplant, told Bangkok Post that "it was not easy to find another stem cell donor for Jean because it is rare to find compatible stem cells from a donor who is not genetically related".

The chance is one in 20,000 to 50,000.

Challenges

Prof Suradet Hongeng, an expert at Ramathibodi Hospital told Bangkok Post that they faced many challenges.

For instance, when they were collecting stem cells from Jio, they discovered that he had Covid-19.

There was a chance that the stem cells might also be infected with Covid-19, which might put the medical staff and Jean at risk.

Further, after undergoing chemotherapy that left her body with low immunity, Jean's life would be in danger if she did not receive an urgent stem cell transplant, said Suradet.

The siblings' father, Suchai Boonklomjit, shared his experience with Bangkok Post and said:

"I admit that I almost collapsed. I felt that disasters would never end. As the stem cell transplant for Jean that we were hoping for approached, we were struck with the bad news that our son was infected with Covid-19. My wife also had it."

"Everyone had to be separated in our worst time. If I had been in another situation, I would have been completely in the dark. Despite the concern, I rest assured that our family was in the care of doctors at Ramathibodi Hospital."

Happy ending

According to Bangkok Post, the medical team later discovered that the stem cells did not have Covid-19, and that the transplant was successful.

Ramathibodi Foundation had also subsidised the cost of the transplant and Jio and her mother no longer have Covid-19.

You can watch the video by Ramathibodi Foundation here: