Mumbai : Mumbai equalled the 2014 record of organ donations on Monday when a family of a 50-year-old brain-dead patient from Fortis Hospital gave their consent to donate her liver, both the kidneys and corneas.
The move has given a fresh lease of life to three people who were suffering from end-stage organ failure diseases. With this, the city has reported 41 cadaver donations this year, in which 70 kidneys, 36 liver and five hearts have been donated.
The woman donor from Kanjurmarg was rushed to Fortis hospital in Mulund on Sunday with intracranial bleeding due to a fall at her home. Despite treatment, her condition deteriorated and she died owing to Ischemic Stroke with Intra Cerebral Hemorrhage and was declared brain-dead on Monday. Following this, the family was approached for counseling to donate organs.
Santosh Sorate, transplant coordinator at Fortis Hospital, said: “When we approached the family to explain them about organ donation, we learnt that they were well-aware about it and were willing to donate their relative’s organs. Because of the positive approach and initiative of the family members, we had won half of the battle. After getting their consent, we explained them about the formalities and procedures involved.”
After taking the family’s consent, the donor’s kidneys, liver and corneas were retrieved at 11.30pm on Monday and donated to patients listed for transplant at Fortis hospital. The brother-in-law of the relative, who himself is a doctor by profession, has been actively participating in organ donation camps.
“Since I am a doctor, I understand the importance of the cause as one organ can gift a whole life to a person. My family has been aware about my active participation in camps and therefore they are also well educated and aware on this subject. Therefore, when there was an opportunity to save lives, my brother didn’t hold back and gave his consent,” he said, on the basis of anonymity.
Dr Rakesh Rai, Liver Transplant Surgeon at the hospital, said: “It is encouraging to see how families who’ve lost their loved ones are courageously lending support to the cause of organ donation and saving lives. The surgeries were conducted successfully and the recipient will be kept under observation for the next 48 to 72 hours.”