Mumbai , 7th November 2019: Family of a 72-year-old man from Mumbai saved a precious life by consenting to donate his liver at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital (NSSH) on Wednesday. The family’s decision also marked the 72nd cadaveric donation of Mumbai.
The donor—with a history of stroke ten years ago, was rushed to the hospital on November 4 in an unconscious state. After two days of treatment and an array of diagnostic tests, the senior citizen was declared brain-dead on November 6, due to an irreversible damage to the brain caused by intracranial bleeding.
“As soon as the doctors and medical social workers counselled us about his brain death, we consented to donate his organs. Our loss is unimaginable but my father would’ve wanted to save someone else’s life in his death,” said the donor’s son.
A 44-year-old man underwent a successful liver transplant at NSSH as per the guidelines of Zonal Transplant Coordination Committee (ZTCC), Mumbai. The recipient— suffering from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) had registered with NSSH two months ago but was on the liver transplant waiting list for over six months.
Dr Ankur Garg, Head & Senior Consultant in HPB Surgery & Liver Transplant Department who performed the liver transplant surgery said almost 50% of liver failure cases are caused by NAFLDs. “Irreversible damage to liver cells due to prolonged alcohol consumption is known but it is a misconception that non-alcoholics are immune against liver diseases. NAFLDs have become rampant in the society and at present only 10% of patients on the waitlist for liver transplant receive an organ,” said Dr Garg.
Dr Rajendra Patankar, Chief Operating Officer, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital lauded the commendable decision of organ donor’s family to donate organs. “In past one week, two brave families of brain dead patients at NSSH chose to save multiple lives by donating organs of their deceased relatives. We are proud of both families and all others who spearhead this noble lifesaving mission. We also thank ZTCC officials for their guidance and wish speedy recovery to the organ recipients,” said Dr Patankar.
