Amanjot, a 20 year old student of Govt. Polytechnic Ambala, became Saviour for 3 battling for Survival *through Organ Donation
Retrieved Heart transplanted at Gurgaon,*Lungs at Chennai sent through Green Corridor & Liver here at PGIMER
With this, PGIMER also marks 75th Liver Transplant since inception of Deceased Liver Transplant Programme in 2011
Chandigarh: 03 May : The life of Amanjot, a 20 year old brilliant student of Diploma Course in Computer Science at Govt. Polytechnic, Ambala came to an abrupt end even before fully blossoming, as she was declared brain dead at PGIMER following a fatal head injury.
Thanks to the magnanimity of Amanjot’s family as they turned their gravest tragedy into a precious gift of life for three end-stage organ failure patients battling for survival, one with the transplant of heart at Gurgaon, second with the transplant of lungs at Chennai and third with the transplant of liver here at PGIMER Chandigarh.
With this latest organ donation, PGIMER also marks 75th liver transplant since inception of deceased liver transplant programne in 2011. In addition, 31 livers have been shared with other hospitals across India for matching recipients, making a total of 106 liver donations till date.
Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER, expressing PGIMER’s gratitude to the donor family, stated, “It takes loads of courage to move beyond your own grief to think of another’s need and take this incredibly moving decision of organ donation. Our hearts go out to donor family and we at PGIMER feel humbled by the trust reposed by them in the institute for their bravest decision.”
Complimenting his team, the Director further added, “The entire team of PGIMER involved in the process, right from the brain death certification committee, transplant coordinators, treating doctors, anesthetists, investigating labs to transplant surgeons, nurses and technicians, definitely deserve a mention for their untiring effort.”
The heart wrenching death of Amanjot from village Bhari, Post Office Balana, Ambala, Haryana, is beyond comprehension and extremely difficult to reconcile with. It was on 26th April, when Amanjot was pillion riding a motorcycle driven by her friend, while going to college when she was knocked down by a speeding car from behind, making her fall from the motorcycle and leaving her with fatal head injuries.
The grievously injured Amanjot was immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital Ambala and then to some private hospital for initial treatment, from where she was referred to PGIMER and was admitted here in an extremely critical condition on the evening of 26th April itself. But Amanjot’s battle with life came to a tragic end as she succumbed to her injuries and was declared brain dead on the night of 1st May, following the protocols of THOA.
It was exemplary courage and altruistic spirit of the family of Amanjot that they did not let her tragic death go in vain and consented for organ donation when the transplant coordinators discussed the option with them.
Gurdeep Singh, the shell-shocked but brave-heart father of donor Amanjot, expressed his sentiments as he consented for organ donation, “There cannot be anything more tragic than losing your child in prime youth. Amanjot was not only my daughter; she was the family’s life force as she was so caring and compassionate to everyone. May be Almighty also needed this ‘noble soul’.”
Rohit Kumar, the courageous elder brother of donor Amanjot, said, “This was no age to go. She was just 20. She wanted to accomplish so much in life. There are no words to describe someone being in our position. But still, we thought that if we could save someone else from going through this agony that we are in, then let’s do it. May be that makes our pain little bearable.”
Respecting the family’s decision, the heart, lungs and liver were retrieved from the deceased. Once the donor organs became available, everyone swiftly got into action leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the donor’s legacy continues.
Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent cum Head, Deptt. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER and Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North), while detailing about the latest case, said, “As the cross-matching indicated no matching recipient for heart and lungs here in PGIMER, we immediately got in touch with other transplant hospitals to explore options for matching recipients. Finally, with the active intervention of NOTTO, heart was allocated for a matching recipient, a 26 year old male, admitted in Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon and lungs were allocated for a matching recipient, a 62 year old female , admitted in MGM Hospital, Chennai.”
In conjunction with the retrieval timings of the organs, a Green Corridor was created on 2nd May from PGIMER to International Airport, Mohali around 2.25 pm to enable safe passage for the transport of retrieved heart and lungs for the onward Vistara Airlines flight to Chennai scheduled at 3.30 pm and Indigo Airlines flight to Gurgaon scheduled at 3.35 pm on 2nd May.
Prof. Koushal further concluded, “With everyone pitching in, the procedural formalities, harvesting process as well as transportation of the organs was completed despite the time crunch. The credit is due to commendable efforts by PGIMER Security Deptt., Chandigarh & Mohali Police, CISF and Airport Staff on duty that we accomplished in making it on time through the green corridor.”
The retrieved liver was transplanted to 24 year old female here at PGIMER, thereby giving her a second lease of life. In all, with the self less gesture of donor family, three lives have been blessed with a ‘gift of life.’
