Brain dead woman's organs help save four lives
The family of a 43-year-old brain-dead woman donated her organs helping save the lives of four people, according to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, where she was admitted. Her liver was transplanted into a 58-year-old man and a kidney into another patient at the hospital. The remaining organs were sent to other hospitals of Delhi-NCR.
Tests revealed that the patient had a severe brain hemorrhage
The woman who was hypertensive had suddenly started to vomit and experienced severe headaches and was brought to the Emergency Department of the hospital on May 20. "During the course of admission, her condition worsened and further tests revealed that she had a severe brain hemorrhage. Despite all efforts for resuscitation, she was declared brain dead. She tested COVID-19 negative," the hospital said.
The woman is survived by her husband and one son
"She was the only sister amongst seven siblings and has left behind a grieving 21-year-old son and husband. After proper counseling, the family was keen to donate her organs and keep her memories alive," the hospital said.
Pandemic has resulted in a remarkable drop in organ donation
According to Dr. Naimish N Mehta, Co-Chairman, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, "At the hospital, there is a huge waiting list for cadaver organs, and with COVID-19 pandemic, organ donation rate has reduced remarkably across the country." "Currently, 179 patients are waiting for cadaver liver and 484 patients waiting for cadaver kidney transplantation at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital," he said.
Compared to other countries, organ donation rate in India low
Dr. Mehta said, "Organ donation rate in India varies from 0.65 to 1 per million population (pmp) while it is up to 35 pmp in Spain and 26 pmp in the USA."
Liver recipient was on waiting list for over two years
Organs were retrieved by a team of doctors led by Dr. Mehta. The liver was transplanted in a 58-year-old man, who was on the waiting list for over two years. "Other organs retrieved were two kidneys and heart. One kidney was transplanted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the remaining organs were sent to other hospitals of Delhi-NCR," Dr. Mehta said.
Life-saving surgeries are performed in non-COVID-19 wings
Mehta said that life-saving surgeries like transplantation are performed in separate non-COVID-19 wings with "due diligence and strict infection control," thereby preventing any chance of cross-infection. Dr. DS Rana, Chairman, Board of Management at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said, "We have created a separate portal for those who wish to pledge their organs after their death."
