Oman man gets new lease of life after heart transplant at MGM Hospital, Chennai

New Delhi: A patient from Oman got a new lease of life on Thursday after the family members of a deceased person from Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh decided to donate his organs.

Rajesh (name changed), aged 48, who was initially on the list of hopeful kidney transplant recipients, tragically transitioned from being a potential recipient to becoming a donor after being declared brain-dead on March 14. Despite enduring years of anticipation for a suitable organ match, Rajesh's journey took a poignant turn when his father, Ram Singh (name changed), aged 70, made the courageous decision to donate his kidney to save his son's life.

Seeking a solution, he turned to a private hospital in Delhi where he consulted Dr. AK Bhalla, Chairman and Head of the Department of Nephrology, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, at a juncture where transplantation seemed the only option. With no other donor available, his 70-year-old father Ram Singh (name changed) decided to donate his kidney, fully aware of the risks associated with his age. He selflessly chose to undergo the transplant procedure to save his son's life.

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Scheduled for surgery on March 8, their hopes were dashed when Rajesh suffered a severe brain stroke, leading to his untimely demise on March 13. However, amidst the heartbreak, Rajesh's widow, Nalini, made the noble decision to honor her husband's wishes and donate his organs.

"In accordance with his family's wishes, arrangements were promptly made for Rajesh's organs to be donated. Following assessments, his heart and liver were deemed suitable for donation. Given the narrow three-hour window for a heart transplant, the efficient Delhi Traffic Police swiftly organized a Green corridor from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Waiting at the airport tarmac was a chartered plane ready to transport Rajesh's heart to MGM Hospital in Chennai," Sir Ganga Ram Hospital informed in an official release, reports ANI.

The hospital stated further that a patient from Oman and their family were awaiting the life-saving transplant eagerly and this act forged a lasting bond between the families in Oman and Rajesh's family here in India.

"There, a patient from Oman and their family awaited the life-saving transplant eagerly. The remarkable speed with which the Delhi Traffic Police facilitated this journey is truly commendable, ensuring that the heart transplant was successfully completed within the crucial three-hour timeframe. This act not only saved a life but also forged a lasting bond between the families in Oman and Rajesh's family here in India, a connection unimaginable just days prior," the statement further said.

"Rajesh's liver found its recipient in a patient battling liver cirrhosis, registered since 2022. He had to undergo tapping every week. The liver transplant was done by Dr Ushast Dhir (Director, Department of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery Sir Ganga Ram Hospital). The courageous decision of the family, inspired by the story of Ms M (name changed), brought immense hope to two families amidst adversity," the statement added.

Hailing it as a 'noble act', Dr Bhalla said, "It should motivate everyone to pledge their organs for donations after death. Please do not take your organs to heaven, we need them here!"

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