Friday, July 24, 2015

A first in Kerala.

Though these might have happened umpteen number of times and continue to happen in the developed countries, it was a unique activity in God's own country.

 The backdrop.

 Advocate Neelakanta Sarma - all of 46 yrs - had collapsed in his bathroom and was shifted to the
 Sri Chithira Thirunal Hospital on 06 Jul. He was declared brain dead consequent to brain  hemorrhage, this morning. His family had given consent to the transplant of his vital organs viz.
 heart, kidneys and cornea to needy patients. Venue - Thiruvananthapuram.

 Mathew Achadan - all of 47 yrs - an autorickshaw driver, detected with diluted cardiomyopathy  
 and under treatment for the last three months at the Lisie Hospital. Venue - Kochi.

 The Kerala Government has initiated a novel medical initiative called "Mrithasanjivani", wherein
 it will ensure that patients are assisted with prompt services - like the Air Ambulance to circumvent
 traffic snarls and mishaps - for medical assistance, without delay.

 The Operation.

 Sarma's heart from the Sri Chithira Thirunal Hospital was transferred to Mathew Achadan, at the  Lisie Hospital, after a 71 minute journey, the bulk of which was in an Indian Naval Dornier. The  surgery was conducted  successfully, soon after. It was a collective effort on the  part of the doctors,  the cops, the Collector  of Kochi, the IN and the IAF and above all, the government with the chief  minister signing the requisite papers in the middle of the night, around a quarter to 2!

 Just goes to show as to what collective action can do!

 Another interesting yet related story.

 Mathew Achadan had given up hope when the doctors had told him that he needed to go for a heart
 transplant for two vexed reasons viz. finding a suitable donor and arranging the money. It was his
 friends and neighbours, who went about determinedly and collected Rs.25 lakhs for the purpose!


Tailpiece.

A great story that has ended well. And it all began with a phone call by the Ernakulam district Collector to the Indian Navy's PRO, this morning!  

PS.
The only misgiving that I'd of the entire operation was that the blood match wasn't confirmed through tests - a very important factor - though both were of the O+ blood group. 



No comments:

Post a Comment