A family of a 68-year-old man from Pune, who was declared brain dead at a private hospital, made a brave decision to donate his organs on Friday.
The 68-year-old, who was a patient of chronic kidney disease, was receiving treatment at a private hospital. On January 1, 2025, he was rushed to the hospital after developing a sudden loss of consciousness. Upon arrival, the emergency department put him on a ventilator to keep his oxygenation levels stable. A CT scan showed severe brain hemorrhage that led to extensive damage to the brain.
Declared brain dead after accident
After 24 hours in the ICU, despite the best efforts of the doctors to stabilize him, his condition continued to deteriorate. He was declared brain dead after conducting two sets of brain death tests.
The medical team from the Critical Care and Neurosurgery Department, along with the Transplant Coordinator, counseled the family about organ donation. Since the patient himself was on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, his family understood the importance of organ donation and agreed to donate the heart and liver. However, due to the patient’s age, only the liver was eligible for donation. After receiving consent from the family, the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) was immediately informed. The officials from ZTCC quickly allocated the organs as per their waiting list.
Dr. Bhushan Nagarkar, Consultant and Head of Critical Care at Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “Our team closely counseled and supported the patient’s family, helping them make an informed and courageous decision. The liver was successfully retrieved and allocated for transplantation to a 54-year-old male patient at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune. The generosity of the donor’s family in the face of loss is truly commendable and serves as an inspiration for many to consider organ donation. Managing a brain-dead patient has a different set of challenges, including hormone replacement and stabilization of vital parameters to maintain important organ function in an optimal state.”
Dr. Shrey Shah, Consultant Neurosurgery, said, "In the case of severe bleeding in the brain, we could not save a life, but the gift of organ donation holds the power to create a new beginning and extend the legacy of compassion and healing.”
