PGIMER witnesses 2 Organ Donors spreading Happiness in the Lives of 11 Patients in the last 2 days
1 Heart Airlifted to Dr. RML Hospital New Delh i & 1 Liver Airlifted to SDM Hospital Jaipur for Matching Recipients
At PGIMER, two more noble souls became legends in their passing with their families donating all their organs, thereby, giving the ‘gift of life’ and spreading happiness in the lives of seven terminally ill organ failure patients and four corneal blind patients, thereby impacting eleven lives in all and sustaining the hope for many more ‘in waiting’ recipients.
The untimely and tragic death of 15 years old female, Basu from village Ganda Kheri, Rajpura, basically hailing from Bihar, is beyond comprehension and extremely difficult to reconcile with. The deceased was grievously injured because of a road side accident and was rushed to PGIMER on 15th August. But as the luck would have it, the fervent prayers of the family and relatives and best of the medical attention proved futile as Basu was declared brain dead on 21st August.
In another case, the life of 60 years old male, from SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) came to a sudden end after he met with a fatal accident. The incessant efforts of the doctors and family could not change the will of the Almighty and he was declared brain dead 22nd August.
Showcasing an exemplary courage and magnanimity, the families of both the donors did not let these tragic deaths go in vain and consented for organ donation when the transplant coordinators raised the matter with them, thereby impacting eleven lives in all, nine in PGIMER, and one in Delhi and one in Jaipur.
Paying a rich tribute to the departed souls, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER said, “The spirit of giving by the donor families has touched everyone. It is really crucial for everyone to understand that even in times of grief, one positive response too can change the lives of multiple strangers and bring a smile to many faces. It was a very courageous decision taken by the donor families of the deceased even as they were grieving the sudden demise of their dear ones.”
Following the consent of the family of Basu on 21st August, the process of the retrieval of the organs was initiated. As there was no matching recipients for heart here in PGIMER, Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) PGIMER approached National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) in Delhi and accordingly with NOTTO’s intervention, retrieved heart of the deceased Basu was allocated to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital New Delhi for the matching recipient and was sent from PGIMER through a green corridor for International Airport from where it was airlifted through 8.30 pm flight on 21st August for its destination in New Delhi.
The retrieved liver, kidneys, pancreas of donor Basu saved the lives of three recipients here in PGIMER and the harvested corneas restored the sight of two more, thereby, enabling six lives in all.
PGIMER witnessed the same magnanimity the next day on 22nd August when following the decision of donor family, from SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) the retrieved kidneys and corneas were transplanted for matching recipients here in PGIMER. The retrieved liver was allocated for a matching recipient admitted in SDM Hospital, Jaipur with the intervention of NOTTO and was sent from PGIMER through a green corridor for International Airport from where it was airlifted through 10.45 am flight yesterday morning i.e. 23rd August for its destination in Jaipur.
Holding his emotions, the brave heart Ajo Manjhi, father of the deceased Basu, expressed his sentiments, “Our world is doomed. Can there be anything more traumatic than losing your young child? So I thought if I could save someone from this terrible pain of losing their family member with organ donation. Although we have lost our daughter, she continues to ‘live’ in six others.”
The same sentiment was echoed by courageous wife of deceased, from SBS Nagar as she said, “We are devastated by the loss. No words can convey our remorse. Who could ever imagine that our horrible tragedy could serve such a noble purpose, of actually ‘giving life to others’ with organ donation, at least I will be able to save someone else the pain and trauma of losing their dear ones.”
Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medial Superintendent & Head, Deptt. Of Hospital Administration cum Nodal officer, ROTTO PGIMER detailing about the cadaver organ donation, shared, “Time being the critical factor, a synergized and well coordinated effort by PGIMER made sure that the sentiments of the family are honoured. The organs were airlifted as soon as these were retrieved. In both the cases, green corridors were created from PGIMER to International Airport with active cooperation and liasoning of PGI security, UT Administration and Police. This is PGIMER’s small tribute to both the families for their magnanimous gesture.”
