Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi turned its patient room into an examination centre for a Class 10th girl who was undergoing treatment for a grave illness

Room no. 2343 at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi became a board exam centre to conduct the Class 10 th exam for one of its patients. Ms. Sarbjot Kaur, a student of Mount Carmel in Hoshiyarpur was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness three weeks ago and hence could not go to her examination centre but insisted that she wanted to give the exams.

Accepting her request, the ICSE board allowed her school to hold the exam in the hospital. Room no. 2343 was chosen and on Day 1, an examiner arrived around noon with the English question paper and answer sheets in a sealed envelope.

“During the exam, only the student and the examiner were allowed inside. However, a doctors’ team was on standby for any medical help but fortunately, that wasn’t required,” said Dr Shishir Seth, Senior Consultant – Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Delhi.

The next subject is mathematics, and the exam is on March 3. “We are hopeful that Ms. Kaur will be fit enough to be discharged by then and will be able to go to the examination centre. Otherwise, it may also be held here,” a Senior Doctor said.

Mrs. Reham Kaur, the patient’s mother, said, “Her daughter was among the toppers in the school. She was preparing very hard for the exams, but suddenly fell ill. Tests revealed she has AML. She is undergoing treatment for the same,”

Acute myeloid leukemia is a life-threatening illness that starts in the bone marrow, the soft inner part of certain bones where new blood cells are made. The main treatment for most types of AML is chemotherapy, sometimes along with a targeted therapy drug. This may be followed by a stem cell transplant.

The mother added that the illness hadn’t been able to deter her daughter’s determination a bit. “I am sure she will do well in the exams. My daughter wants to become an IAS officer.”

The hospital authorities said the girl’s courage and determination in the face of a health crisis would be an inspiration for other patients, who, if diagnosed with critical illnesses, often lose hope. “We are happy to see this child pursuing her dreams despite all challenges,” said a senior doctor.