Surgeons at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, perform city's 33rd Heart Transplant

Mumbai : Textbook example of synchronized efforts between medical teams at Mumbai and Nanded, helped save and enrich the life of a 44 yr old male suffering from Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The recipient from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai was wait listed a month ago; with his condition deteriorating rapidly, a heart transplant was absolutely essential to save his life.

This surgery became possible when the family of the donor, 35 yr old male, who was declared brain dead following a head injury incurred due to a road traffic accident; consented to donate his Heart, Liver, Kidneys and Corneas. The young donor, was a Govt. employee and also worked as a Radio Broadcaster with AIR; he is survived by his wife and parents. Retrieved by Dr Anvay Mulay, Head of Cardiac Transplant Team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, from the donor at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded, the organ was transported to the hospital in Mumbai in 1 hr 53 mins covering 587 kms.

With the Traffic and Airport authorities immediately laying out the roadmap and flight map, the donor heart left from Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College at 02.24PM, reaching Nanded Airport at 02.37PM, the donor heart was immediately transferred into a chartered flight that took off at 02.41PM, landing at Mumbai’s Domestic Airport at 03.54PM. Leaving the Domestic Airport at 03.59PM, the preserved heart reached Fortis Hospital, Mulund at 04.17PM and the transplant surgery commenced immediately. Green Corridor laid out by Mumbai’s Traffic Authorities followed the pre-decided route from Domestic Airport to Fortis Hospital, Mulund. Reaching straight into the waiting hands of conducting surgeon Dr Anvay Mulay.

Talking about the surgery, Dr S. Narayani, Zonal Director, Fortis Hospital, Mulund said, “This is indeed a joyous moment for us as it marks the 30th Heart Transplant surgery conducted by our Cardiac Surgeons. This is also the 1st time that a family from Nanded has opened its heart to Organ Donation, by donating their beloved’s Heart for another deserving patient. I thank all stakeholders who helped coordinate this transplant efficaciously Medical teams, Doctors, Medical Social Workers, Traffic and Police Authorities in Mumbai and Nanded. I’d also like to thank Dr Kanan Yelikara, Dean, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, for providing unparalleled support.”

Conducting surgeon Dr Anvay Mulay, Head of Cardiac Transplant Team, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, “The donor’s family deserves highest appreciation for having enriched so many lives through their noble gesture. The recipient is now stable and has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit. Next 48-72 hours will be critical and we will be closely monitoring him.”

This progressive development has been ardently supported by Dr Deepak Sawant, Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra, Ms Sujata Sounik, Principal Secretary, Public Health & Family Welfare Dept. and the team at the Dept. of Health Services. With these exemplary surgeries, patients in need of medical aid, now have hope and can seek immediate help from within the city. With the hospital leading and conducting programmes for Doctors, Nursing Home staff, Intensivists and Medical Social Workers to create awareness about the importance of organ donation; the impact will positively build momentum for organ donation on a large scale.