25 years ago, he was the recipient of India's first pediatric liver transplant- Today, he is a healthy doctor

New Delhi: In the year 1998, a new chapter in medical history was written for a 20-month-old boy suffering from a deadly liver disease—biliary atresia—who became the first recipient of a liver transplant in the country. His life-changing operation, where he received a slice of liver from his father, was a critical turning point that not only saved his life but also paved the way for future transplants.

Today, Apollo Hospital Group, which created history by performing India's first liver transplant, celebrated the completion of 25-years of pediatric liver transplant program in India. Over the past 25 years, the Apollo Institutes of Transplantation have performed over 4300 liver transplants for patients from more than 50 countries, including 515 children.

At the heart of this celebration was Dr. Sanjay Kandasamy, who was the first pediatric recipient of a liver transplant in India under the Apollo program. His journey from a patient facing the grave prospects of liver disease to a healthy adult is a testament to the advancements in medical science and the dedication of healthcare professionals. Twenty-five years after getting a new lease of life from his doctors, the boy has grown, choosing to become a doctor himself, and is all set to tie the knot.

Dr Anupam Sibal, Apollo Hospital’s Group Medical Director and Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist recalled vividly the day he first saw Sanjay, the challenging hours in the ICU, and the remarkable journey that led to this day and the fact that he himself is a doctor now. He said, “Today is a significant milestone for Indian medical advancements. The liver transplant program at Apollo Institutes commenced 25 years ago, marking a pivotal moment in India's medical landscape. This ground breaking initiative, coupled with the resilience shown by patients like Sanjay, has led the Apollo Institutes of Transplant to successfully carry out over 4300 liver transplants, including 515 procedures in children. I distinctly remember the day I first saw Sanjay, the hours spent in the ICU and today 25 years on, Dr Sanjay will soon be married. As his doctor, I cannot express the happiness and satisfaction I am feeling in words. Today we are able to perform the most challenging transplants including ABO incompatible and combined liver-kidney transplants. We are also operating on babies as small as 4 kgs.”

Speaking about his own journey, Dr Sanjay Kandasamy said, “I am the first beneficiary of the Apollo Liver transplant program. My second chance at life and the excellent quality of life are a testament to the extraordinary expertise and precision of the medical marvels at Apollo. The success of the liver transplantation reaffirms Apollo's commitment to pioneering advancements, unrivalled medical acumen, and unwavering dedication to patient well-being. Today, I stand as an example to the triumph of medical ingenuity.”

"As a child, I used to ask my mother about the scars on my abdomen. When I grew up and had an idea about my life, I too decided to become a doctor, and thus finished my MBBS in 2021, and now practising in my hometown Kanchipuram," he said, 

This event brought together many medical professionals and was also attended by celebrities like Dimple Kapadia.

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