Pune: The family of 51-year-old Mr. Subash Siddu Desai a Pune resident, who was declared brain dead at Manipal Hospital, Baner took the brave decision of donating his liver and kidneys on Monday, 13th August 2024. The patient was brought to the hospital on 10th August with a complaint of severe headache followed by altered sensorium. He had clots in the veins around the brain (CVST- cerebral venous sinus thrombosis) and developed massive bleeding on both sides of the brain (subdural hematoma) secondary to anticoagulants necessary for venous clots. On 11th August 2024, the patient’s condition deteriorated further, the team of doctors performed emergency surgery as a life-saving measure to relieve pressure from the brain. Despite the best efforts of doctors, the patient stopped showing any signs of brain activity, and he was declared brain dead on 13th August after conducting 2 sets of brain stem death tests including an apnea test.
Zonal Transplant Co-ordination Centre (ZTCC) then quickly allotted the organs as per their waiting list. One kidney was allocated to a patient at Manipal Hospital, Baner, and the other kidney was allocated to a patient at Symbiosis Hospital, while the liver was allocated to a patient at Sahyadri Hospital, Pune.
Dr. Amit Dhakoji, Head of The Department and Consultant – Neuro Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune said, “Even in the face of loss, organ donation allows us to transform tragedy into hope, offering a second chance for life where one was not possible. In the case of venous sinus thrombosis, while we could not save a life, the gift of organ donation holds the power to create a new beginning and extend the legacy of compassion and healing.”
Dr. Bhushan Nagarkar, Head of the Department and Consultant – Critical Care, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune said, “The team worked closely with the patient’s family, providing them with the required information and support so that they could make an informed decision. The family agreed to donate his organs. This saved the life of three patients in critical condition. Managing brain dead patient has different set of challenges including need for hormone replacement, to stabilize blood pressure and oxygen levels so that the other vital organ functions are maintained”.
There is a wide gap between patients who need transplants and the organs that are available in India. 1.8 lakh people suffer from renal failure every year, however, only 15,000 renal transplants are done. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 liver transplants are needed annually in India but only about 2000 are performed. Similarly, of several thousand who suffer from heart failure, only 200 get a heart transplant. In the case of Corneas, about 25,000 transplants are done every year against a requirement of 1 lakh.[1]
The noble act of organ donation highlights the pressing need for organ donations in India, as there is a significant disparity between patients awaiting transplants and the availability of organs. Increasing awareness and participation in organ donation can bridge this gap and offer hope to countless lives in need.
