In a powerful testament to service that extends beyond life, the family of a 61-year-old Army Medical Corps veteran has given the gift of life to others. The veteran, who sustained severe head injuries in a road accident on January 3, was declared dead on Tuesday in Lucknow. Honoring his legacy, his family consented to organ donation, setting in motion a complex, life-saving operation across multiple cities.
A Race Against Time and Weather
The noble decision triggered an immediate response from medical teams. A specialized organ retrieval team from the Army Hospital Research and Referral (R&R) in Delhi swiftly mobilized. Their journey to Lucknow was hampered by dense fog, causing delays. Despite the challenging conditions, the team departed at 9:30 PM on Tuesday and reached Lucknow by 11 PM. By the early hours of Wednesday, the medical professionals had successfully retrieved two kidneys, a liver, and a pair of corneas from the donor.
Seamless Coordination for Life-Saving Transplants
The retrieved organs were then distributed for transplantation with clockwork precision. One kidney was transplanted into a patient at the Command Hospital in Lucknow. The recipient is reported to be stable and has already started passing urine, a positive early sign. The liver was carefully transported back to Delhi for a transplant procedure there. The corneas were preserved for future sight-restoring surgeries. Unfortunately, the second kidney, which was designated for the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow, was found unfit for reuse.
This critical mission was a model of inter-institutional cooperation. It involved seamless coordination between Command Hospital Lucknow, Army Hospital R&R Delhi, and SGPGIMS Lucknow.
The Team Behind the Miracle
The entire operation was led by Major General Alok Bhalla, the commandant of Command Hospital Lucknow. His dedicated team included several key specialists:
- Col Priya Ranjan (GI Surgeon)
- Col Bharat (Urologist)
- Lt Col Sumanlata (Transplant OT Matron)
- Maj Sonam Pandey and Maj P Raifunissa (Coordinators)
- Lt Col Vivek Kumar (Anaesthesiologist)
The team from Delhi included Col Priyaranjan and other medical experts who played a crucial role in the retrieval and transport process.
This event marks the second successful organ transplant at Command Hospital Lucknow in the past three months, highlighting its growing capabilities in this critical field. Following the procedure, military officials paid their solemn respects to the veteran, issued a certificate of appreciation to honor the family's courageous decision, and facilitated the dignified transfer of his mortal remains.
The story stands as a profound reminder of how a single decision in a moment of profound grief can illuminate multiple lives, continuing a soldier's duty to protect and serve in the most extraordinary way.
