Kolkata Records First Organ Donation of 2024, Saving Three Women
In a poignant act of generosity amid profound loss, the state of West Bengal has witnessed its first deceased organ donation of the year. The organs of a 46-year-old woman, declared brain-dead at a private hospital in Kolkata on Thursday, have granted a new lease of life to three women undergoing treatment at two city hospitals.
Tragic Accident Leads to Brain Death
The donor, identified as Sumitra Das, suffered critical injuries last month after being struck by a motorcycle near her home in Haldia. Initially taken to a local health facility, medical professionals discovered she had sustained severe brain trauma. Her family was advised to transfer her to Kolkata for advanced care, where she was admitted to a private hospital.
Sumitra's daughter, Anurupa, works as a nurse, and her son-in-law, Subhojit Maity, is employed in the hospital's management department. "The entire hospital ensured that the woman received the best possible treatment. Unfortunately, the efforts did not yield a positive outcome. She began showing symptoms of damage, ultimately leading to brain death," explained Sumit Kumar Maity, a family friend.
Family's Courageous Decision to Donate
When the initial apnoea test confirmed brain death, the hospital initiated counseling with the family, suggesting organ donation as a way to help other patients struggling for survival. A subsequent test reaffirmed the diagnosis. Despite their grief, the family, including her husband Gopal and younger son Sougata—a pharmacy student—agreed to the donation. Sougata expressed his desire for his mother to live on through others, a sentiment that guided their brave choice.
The Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO) East, the nodal agency based at IPGMER & SSKM Hospital, was promptly informed and began searching for matching recipients.
Successful Transplants Bring Hope
The organ retrieval and transplantation process was swiftly executed:
- The liver was transplanted into a 66-year-old elderly woman.
- One kidney was given to a 33-year-old woman.
- Both of these procedures were conducted at the same private hospital.
- The other kidney was transplanted into a 36-year-old woman at SSKM Hospital.
- The donor's corneas were donated to Disha Eye Hospital for future use.
Challenges and Future Prospects
According to sources, the donor's lungs had some issues, but her heart was healthy. However, doctors decided to retrieve only three organs due to a lack of matching recipients within the state. They avoided the risk of waiting longer to find recipients in other regions, prioritizing timely transplants.
This donation marks a significant milestone, as earlier reports indicated no organ donations in the state this year. ROTTO (East) sources noted that in January, they had encountered cases of brain deaths, but families either declined donation or the organs were deemed unfit for transplantation. "We are hopeful that after this donation, there will be many more such donations in the future," a source stated, highlighting the potential for increased awareness and participation.
This event underscores the critical importance of organ donation in saving lives and the compassionate decisions families make during times of tragedy.
